Spain is considered as part of the Euro 2024 tournament favorites. This is due to the array of talents and quality players they possess. They are also known for their great legacy in the European Championships. It’s expected they’ll be a team to beat in the tournament.
Spain started their Euro 2024 preparations with a friendly match against Andorra. It was a cakewalk for them as they were able to breeze 5 past their fellow European counterparts. 3 days later they faced off against Northern Ireland.
It started a bit tricky for them as Northern Ireland took the lead with a header from Ballard. But after 10 minutes they equalized with a low sublime shot from Pedri. Afterward, it became a maul. La Roja stormed their opposition with goals. And in the end, they won 5-1. This sealed off their Euro 2024 preparation.
They will start their Euro 2024 campaign against a tricky Croatian side on the 15 of June.
Spain 26-Man Squad Information
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Spanish Coach Luis De la Fuente has selected his Euro 2024 26-man squad. After the 2022 World Cup, the last few players of the Spanish Golden era had retired. The likes of Busquets and Jordi Alba had rounded up their international careers following the end of the World Cup.
This gave room for other young talents to cement their foot in the Spanish squad.
De la Fuente has called upon a youthful squad to challenge for the European Championships. However, he also added a few experienced players to the team. With the likes of Nacho, Carvajal, Rodri, and Alvaro Morata.
Spain Squad Lists
Goal Keeper
David Raya (Arsenal) Alex Remiro (Real Sociedad) Unai Simon (Athletic Club)
Defenders
Dani Carvajal (Real Madrid) Marc Cucurella (Chelsea) Alejandro Grimaldo (Bayer Leverkusen) Aymeric Laporte (Al-Nassr) Robin Le Normand (Real Sociedad) Nacho (Real Madrid) Jesus Navas (Sevilla) Dani Vivian (Athletic Club)
Midfielder
Alex Baena (Villarreal) Fermin Lopez (Barcelona) Mikel Merino (Real Sociedad) Pedri (Barcelona) Rodri (Manchester City) Fabian Ruiz (Paris Saint-Germain) Martin Zubimendi (Real Sociedad)
Forward
Joselu (Real Madrid) Alvaro Morata (Atletico Madrid) Dani Olmo (RB Leipzig) Mikel Oyarzabal (Real Sociedad) Ayoze Perez (Real Betis) Ferran Torres (Barcelona) Nico Williams (Athletic Club) Lamine Yamal (Barcelona)
Key players
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There are a couple of players that’ll be key in the Spanish squad. In the Defence, Dani Carvajal is expected to lead the Spanish defense line. The Madrid player with his experience will be crucial in upholding the right back for Spain.
Also, a player to watch is the quality of the Jesus Navas. He has had an impressive rejuvenated season at Sevilla.
In the midfield, Spain will require strongly on the ability of Rodri and Pedri. Rodri has been having a spell of great seasons in Man City over the years. He is one of the pivotal players in City’s success in England and Europe. Rodri has been the secret behind City’s supreme dominance. He has been the one controlling and initiating all the productive attacks from the City. Spain will crave the replica of such influence and quality in their team.
Pedri on the other end has also been a crucial player in the Barcelona team. He has been described as one of their main creative specialists. Although injuries haven’t been fair to him.The few times he had appeared a lot of goal-scoring possibilities came in for Barca. Spain will be hoping to get the best and more of that from him.
In the frontline Spain will be leaning on Alvaro Morata’s quality and experience. Although the Atletico Madrid star can be inconsistent sometimes. Coach De la Fuente will hope to get the best from him in the tournament. Another player is Lamine Yamal. Although is quite young, he is very talented. The Barcelona youngster has risen to a level where he can be crucial in his team’s victories.
This can be from his spectacular goals, ingenious assists, and spicy dribbles into the dangerous opposition box. However, he is still very much young. A lot of monitoring will be needed from Del la Fuente on the boy.
Talented Players to Look Out For
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Grimaldo has had an impressive season at Bayer Leverkusen. He has also been crucial for the Xabi Alonso team. Especially in their unbeaten run to their league trophy. Grimaldo will be a player worth keeping an eye on.
In the midfield, Fabian Ruiz is also another star to look out for. He has been an impressive player for PSG in the just-completed season. Whilst under PSG coach Luis Enrique, he has impressed beyond measure.
In the forward for Spain, Dani Olmo is a player to take note of. Although he has had some periods of inconsistencies. However, in his good periods, he has always been exceptional and influential in the Spanish frontline.
Possible Formation and Tactics Analysis
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It is expected that Spain will use the 4-3-3 lineup. In the Defence there are a lot of uncertainties in the options De la Fuente will use. Although it’s most likely that Dani Carvajal will start as their main right back. Nonetheless, there’ll be a lot of rotations made in the Defence by De la Fuente.
The Spanish Midfield is expected to have Rodri and Pedri consistently leading the line always. While Fabian Ruiz may be the 3rd man.
Morata is also going to lead the frontline alongside Yamal on the right. However, the left could either be Nico Williams or Dani Olmo.
Olmo and Williams are players of different attacking profiles. Williams could be crucial in games that require more intensity. While Olmo will be crucial when creativity is needed against a low block.
Spain under De La Fuente looks more like a hybrid attacking team. They look to make use of possession dominance, wing play, and crosses, attacking through the center, and quick counters.
With the caliber of players they have, De La Fuente will have no problems executing it. However, his headache will be knowing the right time to make use of the attacking styles.
More to Come
Spain will initiate their Euro campaign against a tough opponent in the name of Croatia on the 15th of June. Afterwards, face off against another tough one, Italy, a few days later. Their last game will be against Albania on the 24th of June.
De la Fuente will be craving for a 3/3 win and a solid 9 points in their difficult group. This will give them the edge and morale in the knockout stages. Hopefully, they go on and win it all.
About the Author
Ifeoluwa King is a lover of football and also a sports enthusiast. He’s been a football fan for 20 years. Pick any topic in the world of football and sports, and you’ll find him there. For more information about him and more of his awesome content, you can visit his X (Twitter) handle: @kng7.
