After the disastrous World Cup played by Spain, where the team were only capable to win one match of four and eventually were beaten by Russia in penalties, Hierro was replaced by Luis Enrique, the former coach of Barcelona.
During his three years at the Catalan team, he reached his peak on the first season, winning the treble and indeed playing a more vertical style of game than during Guardiola's glorious team. However, that changed of style was gradually seen with skepticism among Barcelona supporters.
Still, they won at least one trophy in every season, but the early eliminations in the Champions League in 2016 and 2017 against Atletico Madrid and Juventus respectively, were too painful and eventually, he left the team.
England want to keep following their vibe
After reaching a World Cup semifinals for the first time since 1990, Southgate's team aim to top a difficult group integrated by Croatia and Spain. Precisely, goals from Perisic and Mandzukic destroyed the English hopes to reach the final in Russia.
Nevertheless, Southgate is satisfied with the performance of his team during the last summer, and as a matter of fact, he has named a very similar squad for the next matches. Thus, players such as Kane, Alli, Trippier, Maguire, Pickford or Henderson will lead the team, meanwhile, Vardy, Cahill or Young has been left out.
Even though the UEFA Nations League is a new tournament and obviously much less important than another official competition, it might be an opportunity to watch the best nations of the continent playing with each other.
The surprise and the disappointment
Although Croatia didn't win the final against France, the party celebrated between players and supporters in the country it showed the unexpected of the quest. Clearly, since 2008, Croatia has been producing many players that are consolidated among the elite. In fact, ten years ago, they were close to reaching the semifinals of the Eurocup but a late goal of Turkey sent them to the penalties were inevitably they lost.
Nowadays, they should remain favorites to finish on top of this group, although Spain would have to present more battle than they did in the World Cup, where after an exhilarating match against Portugal, they were gradually fading in a senseless possession style that has been corrupted in the last years.
However, Luis Enrique has promised to give a new approach to the team that brilliantly won two Eurocup and a World Cup not so long ago.
