England’s UEFA Nations League campaign has reached a ‘make or break’ point as they head to Athens to meet Greece in a Group B2 top-table six-pointer on Thursday.
Following a dismal 2-1 home loss last month, the Three Lions desperately need three points to solidify their pursuit of an immediate League A return.
Worryingly for the travelling supporters, numerous injury setbacks threaten to dismantle England’s quest to conquer the Olympic Stadium of Athens.
From Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice to Cole Palmer, the Euro 2024 beaten finalists will take this must-win trip without eight first-team stalwarts.
According to the Daily Mail, Premier League clubs blame Thomas Tuchel’s late arrival for the squad exodus.
However, caretaker manager Lee Carsley cannot let the emergency distract him from taking home three points.
Even those who don’t bet on football know England are pre-match favourites despite dealing with a severe injury crisis.
Formidable opposition
While Greece looked like a routine task on paper, they proved their continental credentials at Wembley Stadium in October.
Ivan Jovanovic’s side became a rare European nation to leave England’s football temple in tatters this century.
That victory opened up a three-point gap between the sides heading into the last two rounds.
More importantly, it maintained Greece’s faultless Group B2 journey.
Jovanovic’s charges have won all four matches in their maiden League B appearance, conceding just once.
Considering they’ve kept a clean sheet in eight of their 11 Nations League outings on home soil, England’s task to avenge the Wembley catastrophe without several first-team stars is nothing short of Herculean.
However, there’s no margin for error if they’re to avoid going into a promotion play-off.
Prediction
Now that England’s elite status in European football is on the precipice, it’s time for Carsley to show what he’s made of.
Despite lacking several top-class players, the 50-year-old must find a way past Greece’s rock-solid backline to atone for the London fiasco.
It won’t be another day in the office, yet England should take an all-important three points and bypass the Greeks in the standings.
