Ask Mina: UAE vs Iraq tie, Conte’s European woes, Endrick’s benching and the Miami match fiasco - thoughts
Assalaamu alaikum - quick thoughts on a few football questions and a messy La Liga plan.
Q: Who will come out on top over two legs between the UAE and Iraq?
This one feels very even - maybe 50:50. Iraq’s campaign has been hit by constant changes: lots of different players and coaches, so they never settled. That surprise loss to Palestine really knocked their confidence and effectively ended any hope of direct qualification. They also had a much tighter schedule than some rivals - only three days to recover compared with teams who had six - and you could see the tiredness and lack of rhythm on the pitch.
The UAE have had different frustrations. They played well at times but couldn’t turn control into goals. The second leg in Basra will be intense - the crowd there can make it very difficult for visitors. The UAE will need discipline and calm from their coach and leaders to block out the noise and get the result.
Q: Is Antonio Conte still figuring things out in Europe after Napoli’s 6-2 loss?
Not shocking, honestly. Napoli are missing key players to injury and that’s affected their balance - some signings haven’t replaced the exact roles of those who are absent. But Conte must also take responsibility. He’s talked before about squad depth and the difficulty of integrating many new players, yet the defensive collapse can’t be blamed on injuries alone.
In Europe, teams that press with high tempo can cause Conte’s sides problems. Napoli looked slow against a team running and pressing hard; Conte needed to react sooner and find control in midfield. Injuries explain part of it, but tactical choices fall on him.
Q: Why isn’t Endrick playing at Real Madrid?
It’s not about liking him or not - it’s simply huge competition. Madrid’s front line has established stars and giving regular minutes to a 19-year-old who’s still adapting is tough. The coach prefers continuity right now while the project builds.
Injuries haven’t helped Endrick and that pushed him further down the pecking order. There’s been talk of loans this winter so he can get minutes abroad, but his camp would rather he stay and be patient. For Brazil, lack of club minutes makes it harder to stay in World Cup contention.
Q: Why was Villarreal vs Barcelona in Miami cancelled? Seems embarrassing after all the publicity.
The whole idea was meant to expand Spanish football’s reach but it collapsed because of poor planning and strong pushback. Organisers pointed to logistical uncertainty, but there was also a big backlash from players, fans and clubs who saw it as undermining the league’s integrity. Some clubs complained about basic details not being confirmed and threatened to pull out. In the end the match was pulled at short notice and that has become an embarrassment for La Liga’s leadership.
-
Short notes:
- Home advantage in Basra will matter a lot for the UAE–Iraq tie - keep du’a for the players’ safety and focus.
- Napoli need both tactical fixes and some players to return from injury; Conte can’t rely on excuses.
- Endrick needs minutes; a loan might be best for his development, but patience can also pay off.
- Playing matches abroad needs proper consultation with clubs and supporters or it backfires.
Hope that helps - wassalaam.
https://www.thenationalnews.co