UEFA Euro 2024 Group Stage
25 June, 2024 - Indian Date
Düsseldorf Arena
MATCH TIMES
India
12:30 AM
UAE
11:00 PM
Saudi Arabia
9:45 PM
LIVE INFO
Spain possible starting lineup: Raya; Navas, Vivian, Laporte, Grimaldo; Merino, Zubimendi, Baena; Torres, Joselu, Oyarzabal
Albania possible starting lineup: Strakosha; Hysaj, Ajeti, Djimsiti, Mitaj; Asllani, Ramadani; Asani, Laci, Bajrami; Manaj
Match Preview
Luis de la Fuente's Spain has made a strong impression at Euro 2024, clinching their spot in the knockout stages with commanding wins over Croatia (3-0) and Italy (1-0). Despite their success, De la Fuente remains cautious about drawing comparisons with Spain's legendary teams that won the World Cup in 2010 and the European Championship in 2012.
De la Fuente stressed that his current squad still has much to prove to reach the level of those historic teams: "We have a long way to go to catch up with that national team you mentioned because they won the Euros," he said. He emphasized the need for continuous improvement and noted that while there is optimism about the team's potential, they have not yet achieved the same heights as their illustrious predecessors.
The historic Spain team featured iconic players such as David Villa, Andres Iniesta, Xavi, Iker Casillas, and Carles Puyol. Today’s squad has its own stars, with Rodri playing a crucial role in midfield, reminiscent of Xavi. However, Spain will have to face their next match against Albania without Rodri, who is suspended. De la Fuente, nevertheless, remains confident in the depth and quality of his squad: "We want to send out what we feel is the best side. We have complete confidence in our 26 players here."
Spain's solid defense has been a standout feature of their campaign, with Spain and France being the only teams yet to concede a goal in the tournament. This defensive robustness, combined with their offensive prowess, makes Spain a formidable contender. However, De la Fuente is aware of the potential threats from other strong teams: "I don't think we've seen the real quality of certain teams yet... when you head into the knockout phase, there's no room for error."
As Spain prepares for their final group match against Albania, De la Fuente insists on maintaining focus and avoiding complacency. The team aims to continue winning and improving, setting a strong foundation for the knockout stages. With a blend of emerging talent and experienced players, Spain is well-positioned, but De la Fuente is mindful of the challenges ahead and the high standards set by Spain’s past successes.