5 things to know about the UEFA Nations League

#4 Where does it fit in?

Martin O'Neill had termed the international friendlies 'meaningless'

With all the talk of burn-out and fixture congestion complaints from managers and players alike, does a highly competitive tournament where national pride is at stake make the schedule even more demanding? Not really. The competition is scheduled according to the existing International breaks and rather than the players, the more direct victims are likely to be the friendlies.

The group stages of all the four league will happen in the existing international breaks in September, October and November. While the level of the contest is likely to be high in the matches, fixture congestion isn't likely. The finals and the Euro qualifying matches are scheduled for the end of the 2018-19 season in June, after the direct European qualifiers for the 2020 Euro Championships are done and dusted.