Just over seven weeks after their Euro 2024 victory, Spain will head to the Rajko Mitic Stadium in Belgrade for their opening match of the 2024-25 UEFA Nations League against Serbia on Thursday night.
As the defending Nations League champions, Spain joins Serbia in League A Group 4, which also includes Denmark and Switzerland. This match marks Spain’s first game since their 2-1 win over England in the Euro 2024 final at the Olympiastadion in Berlin on July 14, making them the first team to win the competition four times.
Spain’s performance at Euro 2024 was exceptional, as they became the first European team to win all seven matches in a major tournament (Euros and World Cup), scoring a record 15 goals.
Spain vs. Serbia: Latest Insights
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Luis de la Fuente has guided Spain to 17 wins in 21 matches since taking over as head coach in December 2022, adding the Euro 2024 title to his previous triumph in the 2022-23 Nations League. Spain topped their group ahead of Portugal, Switzerland, and the Czech Republic with 11 points from six games, before defeating Italy in the semi-finals and Croatia on penalties in the final.
Ranked third in the world by FIFA, Spain is favored to lead League A Group 4. They will begin their campaign against Serbia, whom they have only faced once before, winning a friendly 2-0 in May 2012. Serbia, competing independently at the European Championship for the first time since 2000, were expected to advance past the group stage but fell short.
Under Dragan Stojkovic, Serbia has yet to win any of its six matches in major tournaments, finishing last in Group C at Euro 2024 with just two points from games against England, Denmark, and Slovenia. Serbia performed better in their previous Nations League campaign, securing promotion to League A by topping League B Group 4 with four wins in six matches, ahead of Norway, Slovenia, and Sweden.
Team News
Serbia will be missing key players Aleksandar Mitrovic and Sergej Milinkovic-Savic due to injuries, and Dusan Tadic has retired from international duty. Notable absences from Stojkovic’s 25-man squad include striker Dusan Vlahovic and winger Filip Kostic. However, five uncapped players have been called up, including Aston Villa’s Kosta Nedeljkovic, Sunderland’s Milan Aleksic, and Millwall’s Mihailo Ivanovic, who hope to feature on Thursday.
Luka Jovic is expected to start as the central striker in Mitrovic’s absence, with Sasa Lukic and either Marko Grujic or Ivan Ilic likely to play in midfield.
For Spain, Unai Simon (wrist), Mikel Merino (shoulder), Alvaro Morata (thigh), and Fermin Lopez (muscle) are sidelined with injuries, while 38-year-old Jesus Navas has retired from international football. Star midfielder Rodri, who has yet to play this season for Manchester City, is fit for selection. Valencia’s Pepelu, receiving his first senior call-up, could make his debut.
With Simon out, Arsenal’s David Raya may start in goal, and Mikel Oyarzabal is expected to lead the attack in Morata’s absence, supported by wingers Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams.
Spain vs. Serbia: Probable Starting XI
Serbia: Rajkovic; Veljkovic, Milenkovic, Pavlovic; Nedeljkovic, Lukic, Ilic, Zivkovic; Samardzic, S. Mitrovic; Jovic
Spain: Raya; Carvajal, Le Normand, Laporte, Cucurella; Rodri, Fabian; Yamal, Olmo, Williams; Oyarzabal
The interesting thing now is which of these two European giants bags the three points. Securing a win here will be very crucial as it will act as a motivational boost for either side as they make their path ahead in this year’s Nations League campaign.
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