Spain, already qualified, should send its usual substitutes to the duel against Albania on Monday (9:00 p.m.) in Düsseldorf, without wanting to stop the dynamic or the flamboyant style which has seduced observers and reinforced its status as favorite at the Euro .
La Roja made a strong impression against Croatia (3-0) and Italy (1-0), two matches finished without a goal conceded and magnified by an exciting offensive game.
“After watching Spain’s first matches, I have to say that Spain are the best team in this group, and not only in this group, but also in the whole tournament”judged Albanian winger Arbër Hoxha.
Arriving almost on tiptoe, despite high potential, Luis de la Fuente’s team showed much greater mastery than France and England, the big favorites before the tournament. Full of confidence, she openly proclaims her ambition to win the Euro.
Albanian winger Arber Hoxha in the fight with Italian defender Giovanni Di Lorenzo during the Euro meeting between Albania and Italy in Dortmund on June 15 / INA FASSBENDER / AFP
“We saw after these two matches that we have the level to do it. But before that we were not a mediocre team, and today that does not make us the best in history”said defender Alejandro Grimaldo in an interview with AFP.
Having remained on the bench until now, for the benefit of Marc Cucurella, the left side of Bayer Leverkusen hopes “demonstrate your level” against Albania, third in group B still in the race for qualification.
Not starting a defender who has scored twelve goals and delivered 20 assists this season at club sets the level of the Spanish squad.
Rotation maximale ?
Spain is guaranteed to retain first place, whatever happens. This allows de la Fuente to offer a window of exposure to his replacements and to rest the others, a luxury that the Blues will not be able to afford on Tuesday against Poland, for example.
However, there is no question of him taking the match lightly. “There are plenty of challenges tomorrow: prestige, recognition, continuing to improve. We will approach the match like the previous ones, with a game plan that we consider to be the best for this match, thinking only about winning.”.
The rotation could even concern the goalkeeper position. David Raya, the Arsenal goalkeeper, is ready to take over from Unai Simon, the starter from Athletic Bilbao.
Real Madrid captain Nacho trained separately on Sunday and therefore appears doubtful. On the right, on the other hand, his club teammate Dani Carvajal should give way to Jesus Navas.
The Spaniard Rodri, during the match against Italy on June 20 as part of Euro-2024 / PATRICIA DE MELO MOREIRA / AFP
The midfielder, deprived of Rodri (suspended), will offer a face entirely reworked or almost, like the attacking line.
Ayoze Pérez, left winger for Betis, should have benefited from the expected renewal but he was injured against Italy. The position will be occupied, barring any surprises, by Ferran Torres or Dani Olmo.
Albania, opposite, arrives with a big appetite.
The 66th team in the Fifa ranking cast doubt on Italy, the reigning European champion, despite the 2-1 defeat, then it held on to Luka Modric’s Croatia (2-2).
Third in Group B, the Rouge et Noir can still believe in qualifying for the round of 16, which would be an unprecedented performance for the small Balkan country, present for only the second time at the Euro (after 2016).
“We are alive, proud and ambitious. We will have to fight, give everything on the pitch, achieve our best performance. And, if we do that, maybe we will have the chance to continue this competition.”launched coach Sylvinho.
