by Pedri, a master midfielder, is absent for Spain. In the Champions League final of the previous season, Dani Carvajal was named player of the match. Defensor Robin Le Normand is also out of the Euro 2024 semifinal on Tuesday against France.
For most teams, going into a game with three starters out would be devastating at this critical stage. The team led by head coach Luis de la Fuente is in the best possible position to handle everything because they are the most convincing team in the competition thus far and are coming off an extra-time victory over the host Germany.
As time ran out in the quarterfinal, defender Marc Cucurella, who was at the center of a contentious (but ultimately correct) handball non-call, declared, “This is a collective game. As a cohesive team, we sacrifice everything for one another. One of the secrets is that.”
Anyone can perform at this level, as those of us who have been here before know. While we must perform well, the coach makes the decision about replacements.”
There doesn’t seem to be much chance that de la Fuente will alter his tactical configuration given Spain’s depth, so his switches are likely to be like-for-like swaps.
Even so, there’s a feeling that far worse could have happened. Against Germany, Spain was given seven yellow cards, two of which added up to Carvajal’s red. However, it’s simply him and Le Normand who are suspended, not Alvaro Morata, as was first thought.
UEFA regulations stipulate that Spain’s players can only miss the championship game if they are sent off in the semifinals.
Dani Olmo for Pedri, who was hurt in a collision with Toni Kroos just minutes into the quarterfinal, Jesus Navas for Carvajal, and Nacho for Le Normand are anticipated to be the newcomers.
Kylian Mbappe, who is eager to put an end to France’s hopeless scoring struggles—the team has only managed one penalty kick and two own goals in the competition—will be under Navas’ supervision.
Cucurella said, “We will need to be very focused.” “It will be crucial to be alert when we attack. We have a strong chance if we stay vigilant and find the ball fast.”
De la Fuente has done an excellent job of determining which player’s personality and what role matches them best. The facility will be helpful as the mandated modifications take shape.
“We have a lot of versatility and possibilities to line up many players,” said the coach. “A standard lineup is fantastic, but every game has a subtlety that we may realize requires a different lineup.
The only thing Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams have to do is think about how to attack, scaring opponents with their quickness and energy.
Even though Nacho is headed to the Saudi League, he still has a place. There, Aymeric Laporte already performs.
Olmo is relatively unknown in comparison to some of Spain’s most famous soccer players because he has never played professionally in his native country. When still a teenager, he transferred from Barcelona’s youth system to Croatia’s Dynamo Zagreb. For months following, coaches from Barcelona would phone him, inquiring as to his whereabouts.
Olmo, 26, of Germany’s RB Leipzig, opened the score for Spain on Friday and then provided a beautiful cross for Mikel Merino’s winning goal.
Spain’s players are willing to work together to achieve the team’s overall goal. Carvajal was just one example. Though it appeared awkward, his challenge to Jamal Musiala for the second yellow card was well-thought out. He realized that staying out of a booking was not as crucial as stopping his opponent from a cross at a particular time.
That’s the extent of Spain’s dedication. With only one week left before Euro 2024, they are still the team to beat because of this.
POSTED BY SOCCERFORYOU
