Nations League analysis: Five key battles in Republic of Ireland vs England clash
The Republic of Ireland is set to host arch rivals England in Dublin this weekend as the 2024-25 UEFA Nations League gets underway.
England are coming off the back of a loss to Spain in the final of UEFA Euro 2024 and have an interim manager in charge after the departure of the long-serving Gareth Southgate.
The Republic of Ireland failed to qualify for UEFA Euro 2024, their fourth such failure in a row, and last appeared in a major tournament eight years ago at UEFA Euro 2016.
After England’s dismal showing last time out, both teams now find themselves in the second-tier League B of the Nations League, drawn in a group that includes Finland and Greece.
Here, Sports News Blitz’s Michael Davey considers five key aspects of Saturday’s Nations League match at the Aviva.
Heimir Hallgrimsson vs Lee Carsley
It is a match-up of two shiny new managers as Heimir Hallgrimsson begins his tenure in Ireland with a game against England’s recently-appointed interim manager Lee Carsley.
Former Iceland and Jamaica coach Hallgrimsson was somewhat of a shock appointment by the Football Association of Ireland. A qualified dentist, he replaces the departing Stephen Kenny and has seemingly been brought in on the back of a good major-tournament track record.
Hallgrimsson approaches football management with the same one-on-one attitude he uses for his dentist alter ego. At the same time, he values overall teamwork and group feedback.
Although adaptable, Hallgrimsson prefers high-energy football.
Lee Carsley, who turned out for the Republic of Ireland in his playing days, was actually a contender for Hallgrimsson’s job but ultimately took the interim England job.
Predominantly a journeyman caretaker manager in the past, he has most recently served with success in the England Under-20 and Under-21 set-ups before stepping into Southgate’s vacated shoes.
Carsley has made it clear that attacking play is the name of the game and that he wants England’s gifted group of youngsters to express themselves. Given six months in the dugout, he is aiming for an entertaining and fluid brand of football that is not afraid to take risks.
With both men at the start of a journey, Saturday’s game will be a marker in the sand either way.
After years of hurt, Irish fans are simply desperate for an appearance at a major tournament.
England fans are used to a different kind of big-tournament pain and will be hoping their talented team takes a more energetic approach following the safety-first era of Southgate.
READ MORE: England news: BBC’s Charlie Slater - Lee Carsley the sensible choice to replace Southgate
Harry Kane vs Adam Idah
The Three Lions’ all-time top scorer is looking to regain his form in an England shirt, while the young Adam Idah will want to cement his place in the Irish forward line.
Kane had a distinctly quiet, not to mention unproductive, UEFA Euro 2024 and faced repeated calls to be benched in spite of his role as captain.
After a storied career full of individual accolades and remarkable goal hauls, the Bayern man is still seeking a first career trophy.
An old-fashioned centre forward, Kane is tall and physical. He is a clinical finisher but can drop deep and assist the midfield if the situation calls for it. Somewhat underrated is his link-up play and ability to create, especially with a consistent partner.
Idah, at 23 years old, is at the opposite end of his career. Recently signed by Scottish giants Celtic after five promising years at Norwich City, he is seen by many as the future of the Irish attack having already made 26 appearances and scored four goals for the national side.
A constant threat in front of goal, Idah offers pace and power. With a chance now to get more game time at Celtic, he will want to increase his strike rate and prove himself a top-level striker.
At the start of a new era for England, Kane needs to stake his claim as the deserving leader of whatever comes next. He can do this by getting back to scoring goals and perhaps exorcising the ghosts of the Euros that slipped away.
His opposite Idah will have rather less pressure to perform on his shoulders but no less hunger to prove himself.
Sammie Szmodics vs Conor Gallagher
England-born Sammie Szmodics continues to make a home for himself in the Irish midfield as Conor Gallagher goes in search of redemption following his axing by Chelsea.
Szmodics only has four appearances for the Republic of Ireland to his name, but he has spent years building a solid reputation with various teams in League One and the Championship.
Now he finds himself in the bright lights of the Premier League with Ipswich Town.
Extremely versatile, Szmodics can play as an attacking midfielder or a second striker. His work rate lends itself to a high press while his positioning often leads to well-timed runs and subsequent goal-scoring opportunities.
Gallagher, for his part, is at a crossroads in his career. Discarded by Chelsea for economic reasons, much to the dismay of Blues fans, Gallagher has landed at Atletico Madrid. He will be hoping for some stability and the chance to finally establish himself at a top club.
Used intermittently at UEFA Euro 2024, Gallagher is a box-to-box midfielder who offers an all-round game. A selfless work-rate and composed passing game make him an effective user of space and reliever of pressure.
With a manager to impress in both international and club dugouts, Gallagher must take his chances in these Nations League fixtures in order to prove himself worthy of a big club.
Szmodics, living the dream with Ipswich, is riding a cloud and seeing where it takes him, starting with the visit of the English on Saturday.
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Jack Grealish vs Seamus Coleman
In what sounds like a set-up for a joke, it is the £100million party boy Jack Grealish up against a no-nonsense Irishman in captain Seamus Coleman.
Grealish has had a tough time of late. A notable role in Manchester City’s Treble-winning 2022-23 season was followed by a poor campaign last term, resulting in him being overlooked for duty at UEFA Euro 2024.
He now finds himself back in the national team with a point to prove.
An intelligent mover of the ball, Grealish is neither speedy nor physical but provides agility and creativity in abundance. Usually deployed down the left flank, he has not turned out for England nearly as much as someone of his talent should have.
Coleman is an entirely different mould of player. An Everton captain and legend after 15 years and over 400 appearances for the Toffees, he has also captained the Republic of Ireland since Robbie Keane’s retirement in 2016.
Used predominantly as a right-back, Coleman is quick, composed and known for making attacking runs. While of a quiet nature, he displays obvious leadership qualities.
The Nations League represents a path back into the national conversation for Grealish, whose role at City is likewise under threat.
His opponent on Saturday, however, has no such qualms and will provide a stern test for any potential Grealish redemption arc.
Irish debutants vs English debutants
New managers come with new players, and both the Irish and the English will have some intriguing debutants on offer on Saturday.
Hallgrimsson has opted for two fresh faces in goalkeeper Max O’Leary and midfielder Kasey McAteer. The latter, in particular, has a good chance of making his debut after a good start to the season with Leicester City on their return to the Premier League.
As the Republic of Ireland restart their quest for something to cheer about on the international stage, Hallgrimsson must balance energy and physicality with experience and the requisite know-how to get the job done at international level.
England have four newcomers in their squad. Chelsea frontman Noni Madueke is joined by Nottingham Forest’s Morgan Gibbs-White as attacking options while Angel Gomes of Lille and Newcastle United’s Tino Livramento provide midfield and defensive cover respectively.
Carsley has promised a strong team for the game on Saturday, but fans are sure to see some debuts on the day as England look to the future after back-to-back UEFA Euro final losses.
Although it would be a surprise for any of these players to make the Irish or English starting line-ups, it is a good bet that a few of them will appear at some point.
And the hunger they bring could have a bearing on the result of this important Nations League fixture.
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