Stories in the spotlight during football’s longest ever international break | Football

No top-flight football for a month, you say? Struggling to get your head around three weeks of international games? No matter, we’ve got you covered with a quick guide to the storylines and talking points that matter.

Tuchel struggles to move on

Thomas Tuchel’s attempts to switch the narrative away from England’s World Cup heartache won’t be helped by the sight of tournament winners Spain grinning their way into Wembley on Saturday.

In truth, whatever the Three Lions manager claims about the 99.9% of fans who apparently don’t wish to discuss tactics with him, we’re not ready to move on, are we? The pain of capitulation against Argentina, after the immense highs of Mexico, Norway and the first half against Lionel Messi’s lads, is still too sore to be buried – even if the suspicion England would have been well-beaten by Spain in the final is some small consolation.

Tuchel has spoken of trying to play more like the team that swept away Croatia for periods in the group stage and France in the third-place play-off.

The temptation to ‘embrace the chaos’ sounds like an admission that this team will never be able to replicate the kind of control exerted by Luis de la Fuente’s Spain.

And yet, it really would be very England to have us all wondering what might have been by knocking off the world champions under the arch on Saturday night.

Lionel’s last dance

Argentina are coming to terms with Messi’s international retirement but they couldn’t let the little genius go without saying a proper goodbye.

So the Albiceleste, who play an eclectic trio of friendlies over the next couple of weeks, will give their captain a deserved send-off when Benin visit Buenos Aires on October 6.

An Argentine FA statement confirmed: ‘Following a discussion with national team coach, Lionel Scaloni, we have decided to invite the world’s best player, the icon of our national team, our captain Lionel Messi, so he can receive the send-off he truly deserves here in Argentina.’

With fellow 2022 World Cup winners Giovani Lo Celso and Rodrigo de Paul also bowing out its a new era for this summer’s beaten finalists.

The AFA have promised an ‘unforgettable match for all Argentinians who support the national team, as they watch the world’s best player’s last dance.’

Klopp casts wide net in search for unity

Jurgen Klopp takes charge of Germany for the first time during a fractious period in his country’s politics.

The anti-immigration Alternative for Germany party (AfD) has dealt a number of electoral blows to Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Klopp being Klopp, the new coach of Die Mannschaft hasn’t shied away from the issues affecting the country.

‘I do not want to entrust national pride to the wrong people,’ he said last week. ‘As a sportsman, I would very much like to reclaim the flag for myself, for all of us. I want it so that when someone waves it, no one thinks, “What is wrong with you?” Instead, I want people to understand, you are happy and realise how lucky you were to be born, grow up, or move to this wonderful country.’

Reflecting his message Klopp has been donning a cap proclaiming ‘one of 83 million’ but despite the unifying message, the former Liverpool boss has taken a divisive approach to selection – calling up 44 players split into two groups; the first for the Nations League games with Netherlands and Greece, the second for the ties with Serbia and Greece.

Neutral territory does nothing to ease Ireland’s discomfort

Politics has cast an even bigger shadow over the Republic of Ireland’s National League double-header with Israel, both of which will be played on neutral territory, behind closed doors.

Tennis balls were thrown on the pitch during Ireland’s May friendly with Qatar by fans opposed to playing Israel, so the protests which would have greeted any Israeli visit to Dublin would likely have been on a much grander scale given the level of feeling about events in Gaza.

The Football Association of Ireland considered a complete boycott of the games, before deciding such a move would cause the organisation, which will host seven games at Euro 2028, ‘significant and lasting harm’. Coach Heimir Hallgrimsson has held talks with his players and admits ‘none of us feel comfortable playing in these games’. Tensions grew further on Monday after the Israel FA accuses Hallgrimsson of ‘ignorance, hypocrisy and stupidity’ in comments made last week.

Sebastien’s passion for Scotland’s new dawn

All change north of the border as Sebastien Pocognoli prepares for a new era following the conclusion of Steve Clarke’s seven-year reign. Clarke restored Scotland to major tournament football on a regular basis but moved on with his side unable to convert the enthusiastic backing of the Tartan Army into on-field results.

Pocognoli, a former West Brom defender, is a left-field but not necessarily crazy choice to replace him. The 39-year-old Belgian was highly impressive as coach of Union SG – leading them to a first league title in 90 years and a decent showing in the Champions League – but was sacked by Monaco after less than a season in charge.

He spoke of ‘passion’ and feeling a ‘connection’ when he took over and is expected to want his team to play more on the front foot. Hull’s Oli McBurnie, on the naughty step under Clarke, is back after five years while fellow striker Robbie Ure, featuring in LaLiga for Sevilla after a breakthrough spell in Sweden, is also included for the Nations League ties with Slovenia, Switzerland and North Macedonia.

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