Low point: Germans back head coach for Euro 2020
December 1 – Joachim Low will coach Germany at Euro 2020. The longstanding coach had come under severe pressure in recent months, but the German FA (DFB), have kept their faith in him.
Performance
Belgium extend lead at top of World Rankings, Brazil close gaps
November 27 – After a dark summer with almost no international football played, Autumn has brought some light with 160 full internationals played in November that in turn have impacted FIFA’s rankings.
French football factory leads Brazil in exporting quality players to the biggest leagues
November 27 – Globetrotting Brazilian footballers make up the highest numbers of players from one nation outside their country, playing in 23 different national leagues worldwide. But it is the French expat players who are the most prevalent in Europe’s big five leagues.
Liverpool and Olympique Lyonnais stars dominate FIFA’s Best award nominations
November 25 – FIFA has revealed the candidates shortlisted for seven of the individual trophies that will be presented at its Best Football Awards ceremony on December 17. Two expert panels – one for men and one for women’s football, have selected the candidates for each category.
Flamengo and Santos show away form as Copa Libertadores starts knock out phase
November 25 – South American champions Flamengo secured a valuable 1-1 draw on the road against Argentina’s Racing Club in the last 16 of the Copa Libertadores on a good first night for Brazilian clubs in the competition’s knockout phase.
Norway warms to new league champions Bodø/Glimt from the Arctic Circle
November 24 – As footballing miracles go, not many can match the romantic achievement of new Norwegian champions Bodø/Glimt who, as some reports put it, have “done a Leicester”.
Germany’s Spain pain poses performance priorities
November 24 – German football is still reeling from their 6-0 defeat by Spain, with the German Football Association (DFB) announcing it will review the national team with team manager Oliver Bierhoff at the start of December.
PSG break Lyon women’s four-year unbeaten run with 1-0 win
November 23 – The longest unbeaten run in any of Europe’s top leagues was broken at the weekend when Olympique Lyon women suffered their first league loss in four years. Paris Saint-Germain inflicted a 1-0 defeat on the serial French champions.
FIFA turns to tech firms to improve VAR
November 20 – FIFA are taking steps to ensure marginal offside calls are determined by automated technology rather than the controversial VAR system of dotted lines and a second pair of eyes.
Belgium, Italy, France and Spain head for Nations League finals in October
November 19 – Belgium and Italy completed the line-up for the Nations League’s final four on Wednesday with wins against Denmark and Bosnia and Herzegovina respectively. They will meet Spain and France in October 2021 to decide the winner of the tournament’s second edition.
Joy for Wales and Czechs as Israel ruin Scots’ Nations League progression
November 19 – Wales secured promotion to the top tier of the Nations League with a 3-1 win over 10-man Finland in Cardiff on Wednesday and virtually guaranteed themselves a 2022 World Cup play-off spot.
Loew point: Spain hit Germany for six
November 18 – Shell-shocked German head coach Joachim Loew was at a loss to explain his country’s biggest ever defeat in competitive football after they were thrashed 6-0 by Spain in the Nations League.
Head for heights: Zouma, Djimsiti and Maguire top Euro ranking
November 17 – A ranking of the leading European club defenders by aerial defensive duels has been topped by Chelsea centre-back Kurt Zouma (pictured) who has won 26 aerial duels out of 27 (96.3%).
San Marino create history with back-to-back draws
November 16 – November 14 will go down in history for European football minnows San Marino.
Mounting injuries force Premier League managers to pressure for u-turn on 5-subs rule
November 10 – The English Premier League, the only major top-flight division in Europe to reject the concept of five substitutes, may stage a u-turn before the end of the season.