The Nations League continues this weekend. Desh Parthab takes a look at some of the players to keep an eye on including Austria’s veteran striker Marko Arnautovic and Belgium’s Kevin De Bruyne.
With current holders France performing dismally in their Nations League group, Didier Deschamps will have his sights set on maximum points to get his best 11 out, as the FIFA World Cup looms.
Indeed, these are the last set of competitive international football games, ahead of the global spectacle.
Turkey, Greece and Latvia all occupy top spot of their respective groups – maintain a perfect start to their campaigns. Belgium are currently runners up in their group and will have to equal or better Holland’s result tonight – to keep the pressure on for top spot.
England VS Italy appears to be the pick of the fixtures in this Matchday. Indeed, Gareth Southgate’s men have netted just once throughout the competition thus far and are still searching for their first victory.
With that being said, here are a few players who could guide their teams to victory!
Marko Arnautovic
Marko Arnautovic is bang in form for Austria. For club, the marksman has bagged 6 goals – making him the outright top scorer in Serie A.
Despite this, he could have added to his tally as seen by his 4 big chances missed, in the Italian topflight. The 33-year-old has attempted 17 shots with 8 of those being on target, across his 7 league outings.
Austria have failed to win any of their previous 3 group stage fixtures, something that Arnautovic will be looking to change.
Marko Arnautovic is #SerieATIM Capocannoniere.
— Football Society ⚽️ (@FootySociety) September 22, 2022
6 goals in 7 matches played for Bologna. pic.twitter.com/cfByIrWK2J
Kevin De Bruyne
Kevin De Bruyne could be the key to unlocking the Wales defence this evening. The Manchester City playmaker has created 25 chances in the English top flight – the most from all league players.
During that period, the 31-year-old has returned 6 assists and 1 goal across his 7 league outings. On the European front, De Bruyne has delivered 2 assists from his 6 chances created in the UCL.
Kevin De Bruyne has now been directly involved in 150 Premier League goals:
— William Hill (@WilliamHill) September 17, 2022
▪️ 217 games
▪️ 92 assists
▪️ 58 goals
▪️ 4x PL Champion
▪️ 2x Player of the Season
One of the greats. 🙌 pic.twitter.com/k3U1qvK4CG
Edin Dzeko
Edin Dzeko has returned a goal and an assist across his previous 3 outings for Inter Milan. The Bosnia and Herzegovina forward has attempted 9 shots and created 4 chances during that period.
Despite this, the forward could have added to his tally as seen by his 2 big chances missed, in that time. Dzeko has netted 63 times in his 124 appearances for his country and could extend that when the top 2 of the group go head to head this evening.
Edin Džeko vs Viktoria Plzen in the #UCL today:
— BH Live 🇧🇦 (@BHlive_official) September 13, 2022
8.4 rating
1 goal
1 assist
Man of the match
22/29 passes (75%)
2 chances created
100% shot accuracy
5/5 accurate long-balls
2 clearances
67% aerial duels won
36 years old. Class is permanent 🍷 pic.twitter.com/8Q1VNNtTLz
Robert Lewandowski
Robert Lewandowski has shown no signs of slowing down. The former Bayern Munich hitman has chosen the colours of Barcelona for this season – where he has been involved in 10 goals in just 6 league appearances.
Furthermore, the Polish international has bagged a hatrick in the UCL, meaning he is the joint top scorer in the European competition. Poland have failed to win any of their previous 3 group stage fixtures, however, a fired up Lewandowski could be the one to change that.
The top goalscorer in the Premier League:
— B/R Football (@brfootball) September 19, 2022
▪️ Erling Haaland (11)
The top goalscorer in La Liga:
▪️ Robert Lewandowski (8)
🤖 pic.twitter.com/N9u03OQJ01
Cristiano Ronaldo
Across his 3 appearances in this season’s Nations League, Cristiano Ronaldo has returned 2 goals from 10 shots. Despite this, the serial record breaker could have added to his tally as seen by his 2 big chances missed, during that period. Portugal come into this evening’s encounter as the group’s top scorers and are up against a Czech Republic team who are yet to register a clean sheet in the group stages.
Cristiano Ronaldo picked up his award for being Portugal's all-time top scorer last night 🏆
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) September 21, 2022
(via @selecaoportugal) pic.twitter.com/SS8KxGAHxb
