Sport MATCHDAY: Germany, Spain seek Nations League improvement

A look at what’s happening in the Nations League on Tuesday:

© Provided by Associated Press Germany's Toni Kroos exercise during a training session of the German national soccer team prior the UEFA Nations League soccer match between Germany and Switzerland in Cologne, Germany, Monday, Oct. 12, 2020. Kroos can get his 100th cap against Switzerland. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)

GERMANY vs. SWITZERLAND

After finally winning a Nations League game at the seventh attempt on Saturday, Germany bids to follow up with another victory on Tuesday to keep the pressure on Group 4 leader Spain. Joachim Löw’s team hosts Switzerland – bottom of the group with one point from three games – in Cologne, where no fans will be allowed due to rising coronavirus cases in the city. Despite beating Ukraine 2-1 in Kyiv to end a run of three games without a win, Germany remained prone to mistakes and far off its best, and Löw said he would keep faith in the same players if he could to give them more playing time together. But there are doubts over the fitness of Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Julian Draxler and Leipzig pair Marcel Halstenberg and Lukas Klostermann. Löw will once again be able to build the side around the experienced Bayern Munich “block” of Manuel Neuer, Leon Goretzka, Joshua Kimmich and Serge Gnabry, with Real Madrid’s Toni Kroos partnering Kimmich in midfield. Kroos is in line to make his 100th appearance for Germany, while Kimmich is set for his 50th. “The two of them formed a very good understanding from the start,” Löw said.

Oilers have been talking to Coyotes about Oliver Ekman-Larsson

Ekman-Larsson may very well prefer landing alongside Charlie McAvoy on the top pair of a perennial contender. © Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports It’s worth noting that Oliver Ekman-Larsson has a full No-Movement Clause and could nix a deal to Edmonton if he chooses. The Oilers are also known to be eyeing an addition in goal and have kicked the tires on a number of netminders on the trade block. TSN’s Pierre LeBrun reports that the latest name on that list is the Carolina Hurricanes’ Petr Mrazek.

Germany are preparing for their third game in seven days and their second Nations League fixture in four days as they welcome Switzerland to Cologne. The two sides drew 1-1 in Basel last month in the second of what would turn out to be three consecutive draws for Joachim Löw's team, who had to wait

Diese Seite enthält den Gesamtspielplan des Wettbewerbs UEFA Nations League A der Saison 18/19. Es werden alle Ergebnisse der Gruppenphase und der KO-Runden aufgelistet. Type of cup: National Team.

© Provided by Associated Press Switzerland's Xherdan Shaqiri wears a face mask prior a training session of the Swiss national soccer team prior the UEFA Nations League soccer match between Germany and Switzerland in Cologne, Germany, Monday, Oct. 12, 2020. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)

UKRAINE vs. SPAIN

Spain will try to strengthen its hold on first place in Group 4 when it visits Ukraine, a team it beat 4-0 in Madrid in September. Spain has a two-point lead over Germany after three matches. The Spaniards will be looking to win their third straight game in the competition after triumphs over the Ukrainians and Switzerland. It opened with a draw against Germany. About 15,000 fans are expected for the match in Kyiv. Ukraine's squad remains depleted because of COVID-19 cases among some of its players. Ukraine is four points behind Spain.

What does the future hold for longtime Bruins defenseman Torey Krug?

The 29-year-old defenseman is one of the top free agents set to hit the open market on Oct. 9, perhaps even second behind Alex Pietrangelo among defenders. There are very few players who can match his offensive output, which totaled 49 points in 61 games this season with the Bruins. In fact, over the last four seasons, Krug trails only Brent Burns, Erik Karlsson, Victor Hedman, John Carlson and Roman Josi in scoring among defensemen, five players who are consistently in the Norris Trophy race. He’s well ahead of Pietrangelo in that category, though the rest of his game is not nearly as polished.

Diese Seite enthält den Gesamtspielplan des Wettbewerbs UEFA Nations League A der Saison 18/19. Es werden alle Ergebnisse der Gruppenphase und der KO-Runden aufgelistet. Type of cup: National Team.

Group. Match info. Germany -Switzerland | Germany vs Switzerland Nations League preview: where to watch, team news. Joachim Löw's side drew their first two games 1-1, surrendering leads at home against Spain and away against Switzerland, and had to withstand another comeback in Ukraine on

© Provided by Associated Press Spain's Sergio Busquets attends a press conference at the Olimpiyskiy Stadium in Kyiv, Ukraine, Monday, Oct. 12, 2020. Ukraine will play a UEFA Nations League soccer match against Spain on Tuesday. (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky)

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© Provided by Associated Press Spain's Sergio Ramos, right, and Jesus Navas warm up during a training session at the Olimpiyskiy Stadium in Kyiv, Ukraine, Monday, Oct. 12, 2020. Ukraine will play a UEFA Nations League soccer match against Spain on Tuesday. (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky)