The Spanish men’s national football team has passed the first break of the UEFA Nations League with a good score, after a draw in Serbia (0-0) and a crushing victory in Switzerland (1-4). In an undoubtedly complicated start, given that the season has just begun and there were two away matches, the four points feel like a blessing, despite the fact that La Roja is in second place in the group due to Denmark’s two victories.
Spain has had to deal with significant challenges, such as the dreaded injuries before and during the camp – as in the case of Mikel Oyarzabal – the limited preparation, or the sanctions on Morata and Rodri for their chants about Gibraltar during the Euro 2020 celebration. But the best team in Europe has managed to overcome it all. Because that’s what the current champions of the Nations League and the Euro Cup can be called, the two official national team tournaments on the continental scene.
The squad led by Luis de la Fuente gathered the Monday of the previous week, and by Thursday, they were already playing the first of the two commitments at the ‘Little Maracanã’ in Belgrade, with just three training sessions. The performance was not the most optimal, and the draw can be considered fair in light of the play. Spain dominated Serbia with a staggering 73.6% possession (source StatsPerform), 21 total shots, and five shots on target.
In contrast, the match against Switzerland was more challenging, with only 33.7% possession, nine shots, and – pay attention to this figure – eight on target! If before the Euro Cup, the debate about the style, possession, and the team’s ability to seek alternatives was opened, it could be said that summer is coming to an end, and there are not even any seeds left from the seasonal fruit. Switzerland signed a card of 19 total shots but only three on target.
The previous coach, Luis Enrique Martínez, was a believer in a unique style and a staunch defender of ‘watering’ the opposing goal with attempts to create more chances and wait for some to result in goals. Luis de la Fuente could be defined as a “yes, but” of the previous. More open to other nuances and also capable of self-correcting.
In Serbia, he relied on Ayoze Pérez for the attack, and La Roja left without scoring. In Geneva, the starter was Joselu Mato and he scored just four minutes into the match. It is not to overburden the Tenerife player, let it be clear, but to emphasize the team’s versatility. The functioning of the team as a block is the merit of the coach from La Rioja, as well as the step forward taken by some of his trusted players.
The best match with one less player and less possession
One of those is Rodrigo Hernández, Rodri, who could not play against Serbia due to suspension and was a starter against Switzerland, completing an outstanding match in midfield. Until now, we have not mentioned that Spain played with one less player from the 20th minute due to the expulsion of Robin Le Normand, but it hadn’t mattered until now, but it is important to highlight it to explain Switzerland’s dominance (66.3% possession), and that despite this, Rodri was able to complete 40 passes with a 93% accuracy.
The Madrid player formed a great partnership in the midfield with Fabián Ruiz, the ‘MVP’ of the match with a brace, 34 completed passes (six in the final third) and a 91% accuracy. The player from Los Palacios (Seville) gave oxygen to Spain with the second of his goals when they were struggling the most. But it wouldn’t be fair to leave without mentioning once again the great performance of the two wingers, with Nico Williams completing seven passes in the final third, six Lamine Yamal, who in turn made three dribbles and provided one assist, all in just 45 minutes.
Lamine was replaced by Ferran Torres, who in turn assisted Fabián and scored the fourth, also assisted by Joselu, swapping roles with the other two. The Spanish national team, in summary, gave a lesson in collective football in one of the most challenging matches in which they had the least possession in recent matches under De la Fuente’s management. The style is to win.