Go ahead, give yourself a pat on the back. You survived the international break.
In the name of justice, with the astonishing fixture load that means club football has run wild on fans all season with games every two or three days, it has not been so bad to have a break from it. Actually, it was kind of needed.
There are always things to take out of an international break, especially with this one being the last before the European Championships in the summer. With that in mind, here’s the excellent take from the break.
Timo #Werner receives a Northern Macedonian passport “out of gratitude”. Poor Guy. Via @VecerMk @SID_Sportnews #GERMKD pic.twitter.com/AEVBTgtGX0
– Marco Mader (SID) (@MaderSid) April 1, 2021
For his services to the Republic of Macedonia, Timo Werner has received a scornful identity card for the nation from a native newspaper.
These services, you ask? To still not be so good at football and miss a sitter, because Northern Macedonia beat Germany.
S ** thousand of the highest order.
Kylian Mbappe makes the kit a little better | Aurelien Meunier / Getty Images
Not much else to say, is it?
Both kits are works of art, but that home shirt in particular is a work of art.
Long sleeves. Kylian Mbappe. Allez les Bleus.
37-year-old Goran Pandev bags against Germany | Boris Streubel / Getty Images
Contrary to what Gary Lineker may tell you on Twitter, Northern Macedonia is actually more than just a one-time giant killer. They will be shown at Euro 2020.
Beating Germany 2-1 was a huge victory for the nation as a whole, which is 65th in FIFA’s world rankings. And with such a profit, why can they not go and do the unthinkable in the Euro?
Everyone loves an underdog …
Harry Kane can just as easily not care to return to Tottenham’s training ground at this pace Sebastian Frej / MB Media / Getty Images
A club can go into international break and fly high, no worries about squad morale or fitness issues.
Two weeks later, the side is decimated by injuries and the star man has admitted that they have been unhappy for several years and will go on strike from Monday, at the same time as they challenge their manager to a match at WrestleMania.
Seriously, let’s just stop letting players and agents talk to news outlets during the international break, for truthfulness if not club safety.
A work of art | Alessandro Sabattini / Getty Images
Italy, like France, is often at the forefront of everything trendy.
They go with their fashionable counterparts on their way into the euro with some truly sensational kits. They can even be a little better than the French shirts.
Southgate’s vests are dry cleaned when we speak | Catherine Ivill / Getty Images
Three wins from three games while we played four at the back with a somewhat depleted squad should be enough to convince Gareth Southgate that this England side in full force is ready to take the game to the opposition.
But do not be surprised when the Three Lions line up with five at the back on June 13. It is inevitable.
However, it will make the moment they switch to a four even sweeter. A zero down, tactical change, Southgate on the touchline ripped off his vest like a premium Kurt Angle pulling down the strap on his singlet.
Shame that it will not lead to any real success.
“Fraud” | Filip Filipovic / Getty Images
Three matches, zero goals for Norway during the international break for Erling Haaland. No, you are not dreaming and yes you are reading right. He is human.
It is the first time in his senior career that he has gone three starts without a goal.
Do not worry – he will take us back to normalcy and bag sex for Borussia Dortmund this weekend.
