UEFA Nations League preview: key Bayern Munich players rested

The UEFA Nations League begins its second season this week with several interesting fixtures including the heavyweight matchup of Germany versus Spain. Although the tournament is still new, it is still a desirable competition to win and should be a goal of all national teams to succeed in.

The 2018 FIFA World Cup was disastrous for Germany as the Champions’ Curse struck again, but the Germans can use these fixtures as the perfect opportunity to regain confidence entering the Euros. This week’s fixtures could give some indication of what to expect in the big tournament next year.

Here are all the countries that Bayern fans need to follow in this week’s fixtures:

Germany

Joachim Löw has decided to rest many Bayern Munich and RB Leipzig players, as a result of their fatigue from the Champions League competition. Jogi believes it is important that clubs and national federations work closer together to control the strain on their players.

The key players missing are Joshua Kimmich, Leon Goretzka, Manuel Neuer, Serge Gnabry as well as Lukas Klostermann and Marcel Halstenberg.

Additionally, Löw has backed up his earlier shocking decision to exclude national team legend, Thomas Müller. This decision has left many fans, understandably, upset. However, Germany’s national team general manager, Oliver Bierhoff, has stated that Löw might be open to calling him up eventually.

Representing the Germans for Bayern Munich will be Niklas Süle as well as Leroy Sané. They will face off against Spain on Thursday, September 3rd, and Switzerland on Sunday, September 6th.

Poland

The Polish national team will be without their offensive juggernaut, Robert Lewandowski, going into their fixture against the Dutch on Friday, September 4th. They will then play Bosnia and Herzegovina on Monday, September 7th. The superstar will finally have his well-earned rest after the best season of his career.

Austria

The Austrian squad will face off against Norway on Friday, September 4th as well as Romania on Monday, September 7th. David Alaba has been left out of this squad selection for the national team. Austrian coach Franco Foda decided this after talks with Hansi Flick and discussions of Alaba’s groin problems following the Champions League.

Croatia

Ivan Perišić and the 2018 World Cup runner-ups will play defending UEFA Nations League champions, Portugal, on Saturday, September 5th. Croatia’s next match will be against France on Tuesday, September 8th.

Spain

Whether Thiago will still be a Bayern Munich by the end of the week is not certain. Nonetheless, he will join the Spanish team and play against the Germans on Thursday, September 3rd. Their second matchup puts them up against Ukraine on Sunday, September 6th.

France

Lucas Hernández and the defending World Cup champions will clash against Sweden on September 5th. Their next fixture will be a rematch of the 2018 World Cup Final as they play Croatia on September 8th. Corentin Tolisso, Kingsley Coman, and Benjamin Pavard have been left out of Deschamps’s squad selection due to fatigue.

See the full schedule on the UEFA website.