Mbappe blocks England's path and box-office Van Gaal

The Independent’s football newsletter [SUBSCRIBE]( [SUBSCRIBE]( December 09, 2022 [View in browser](   [The Independent]( [The Independent]( Kylian Mbappe blocks the way unless England block him and box-office Louis van Gaal Saka could be more important than ever On the day before France-England, [Gareth Southgate]( and his staff were still deciding on final touches to the team. The main focus has [naturally been Kylian Mbappe](, who the coaches think is one of a rare band of players in the world who do require special attention. The debate earlier in the week was whether the side should adapt their formation for him, and perhaps return to a 3-4-3 so they can load up that side, or would that take away from England’s own strengths - especially in midfield. There is a feeling that Bukayo Saka can help balance this because he is so good tactically. If he plays on the right, with Kyle Walker behind him and Jordan Henderson shuttling over, it could possibly offer sufficient protection against Mbappe while also maintaining England’s structure and threat. Raheem Sterling arrived back in Doha on Friday morning, and was ready to take part in training that day. A release for Portugal, but still potential redemption for Ronaldo? It could be seen on the pitch, with the goals making clear something that had long been whispered. The Portuguese players felt liberated without Cristiano Ronaldo against Switzerland. They just didn’t have that gravitational pull attracting all attention and play, and could interchange in a freer manner. It has been a strange feeling for some of the squad members, [since the majority look up to Ronaldo as a hero](. They also now see that he isn’t the player he was. Bruno Fernandes is one of those who has been tactically freed, able to operate in so much more space. And yet there is a caveat. Other figures around the tournament - including some players - aren’t precluding the possibility of Ronaldo having one grand last say and scoring a crucial goal. Di Maria dictates main thinking for Argentina There’s been a curious little twist to the huge game [between Netherlands and Argentina](. The two squads are based a mere 200m away from each other at the University of Doha, training every day on the same pitches. While there is naturally the temptation to try and scope what is happening, how the teams will line up is fairly clear - bar one major decision. Lionel Scaloni must decide on the fitness of Angel Di Maria. He knows it is a huge risk. He also knows how much Di Maria wants to play. The player is desperate, for all sorts of reasons. On a more minor level, there is Di Maria’s history with Louis van Gaal, which has come up so much this week. He would like to put him out. More personally, and much more deeply, Di Maria missed Argentina’s 2014 run to the final - and the semi-final against Netherlands - through similar issues. Brazil see self-expression as even more essential The Brazilian squad, naturally, could not care less about all the criticism of their dancing. For all the debate in Europe, it just hasn’t got through to their camp. There’s been laughter about it, if any reaction at all. It speaks to the immense focus and confidence of the team, that are very self-contained. They are [very conscious of the danger Croatia pose](, though, and how they can sap the life out of Brazil’s game. It’s actually why Tite’s players see their attitude as even more important. This will be a game that requires vibrancy and expression. Super League back in view, days before the final As most of the football world fixates on the World Cup, the future of the entire game could be set this Thursday. It could be decided whether the case taken by three remaining European Super League clubs will go to a full European Court of Justice case. There is a current feeling around the game that the judicial remarks will be a “score draw”, with both seeing potential and legal processes only going for longer. The truth is that nobody knows for certain. It all comes down to judicial interpretation.   Top stories //link.e.independent.co.uk/click/29934779.22235/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvc3BvcnQvZm9vdGJhbGwvd29ybGQtY3VwL3NwYWluLWphcGFuLWx1aXMtZW5yaXF1ZS1xYXRhci0yMDIyLWIyMjM3NDk1Lmh0bWw/583d2887487ccd777a8b7489B7d73cc85[The best World Cup moments so far from Lionel Messi magic and shock upsets to group stage drama]( Samuel Eto’o admits to ‘violent altercation’ with World Cup fan after video emerges](   Enjoying this newsletter? Unlock unlimited, ad-free reading on the website and in The Independent app when you subscribe – plus, benefit from our [welcome offer when you join today](.   Miguel's Dispatches Such is Van Gaal’s hold over this [World Cup](that his press conference was a “sell-out”. There wasn’t a seat to be had at the virtual stadium in Fifa’s main media centre, which meant many journalists had to be turned away.     QUOTE OF THE WEEK “Memphis had to deal with it too at Manchester, and now we kiss each other on the mouth.” Louis van Gaal continues to charm the World Cup, cutting a very different figure from that who received such criticism at Manchester United - not least for how he dealt with Depay and Angel Di Maria.   Reading the game quiz Reading the game quiz There are nine clubs who have supplied just one World Cup goal for England. So, as an example, to use the hardest, Wilf Mannion scored in 1950, and it is the only England World Cup goal to have been supplied by a player from Middlesbrough. Name the other eight, both the players and the clubs. They are very spread out across the decades. ([You can find out the answers here](. The answer page will be updated weekly and contains answers from previous newsletters, too)   INDYBEST /BEST SPORTS BUY]( England World Cup kit 2022: Where to buy the home and away shirts so you can roar on the Lions [Click here for more details](   Essential reading Spain’s success inspired a generation of creativity without a clinical edge](   [Enjoying the Qatar World Cup? Here is the reality hiding in plain sight](   OTHER NEWSLETTERS YOU MIGHT LIKE [Sports Brief] Sports Brief Every Monday, 6pm (UK time) Written by Ben Burrows [Join now]( [Fantasy Football] Fantasy Football Every Thursday, 6pm (UK time) Written by Mark Critchley [Join now]( If you can spare a minute we’d love your [feedback]( on our newsletters. [The Independent]( Join the conversation or follow us [Facebook]( [Twitter]( Please do not reply directly to this email You are currently registered to receive The Independent's football newsletter. Add us to your safe list of senders. If you do not want to receive The Independent's football newsletter, please [unsubscribe](list_name=IND_Football_CDP). If you no longer wish to receive any newsletters or promotional emails from The Independent, you can unsubscribe [here](. This e-mail was sent by Independent Digital News and Media Ltd, 14-18 Finsbury Square, London EC2A 1AH. Registered in England and Wales with company number 07320345. 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