The Spanish team returns tonight to the Nuevo Zorrilla in Valladoolid, where it had not played for 17 years, with the mission of beating Georgia in the last game of the group stage and thus ensuring being one of the five best in the qualifying groups for the European Championship in Germany, which would make them seeded in the draw on December 2. One point would be worth Spain to be first.
If they win, the red team would achieve their sixth consecutive victory, a great reaction after the setback in Glasgow, a defeat (2-0) against Scotland that jeopardized the continuity of the coach, Luis de la Fuente, who was saved by winning the League. the nations.
Today the team looks to the future with optimism. De la Fuente, whose contract ends in June, assured yesterday at a press conference that he would like to sign the renewal before the start of the Euro Cup (June 14) and that for him he would sign not until the next World Cup cycle (United States 2026), but until the 2030 World Cup in Spain.
The team that will be seen today in Valladolid is very rejuvenated, with Rodri, as a great star (the one from City rested on Thursday in Cyprus) and with a series of young people, among which several from Barcelona stand out, such as Lamine Yamal (16 years old) or Gavi. Pedri is also safe but he is not here today because he has just come back from an injury.
Captain Álvaro Morata was full of praise yesterday for Yamal, the youngest debutant with the red shirt who, if he played today, would be in his fourth cap and would no longer be able to play for Morocco. "I see Lamine, who is 16 years old and looks like he is 26 or 27. It is an amazing thing. It is to congratulate all the coaches he has had in his career. Anything good that happens to him will happen to Spain. He is a great boy and already a great player," he commented.
Luis de la Fuente also spoke about the Barcelona player. Asked if anyone thought that Yamal might opt to play for Morocco and if he was going to play him tomorrow to avoid that possibility, the Riojan denied it: "With Lamine there is no doubt. With four games he will play with us for sure, but no That is important because he is convinced to play with us. He has realized that to be here, the demand is maximum. He has to mature and has a long way to go. We are very lucky to have a footballer of this talent and he is better accompanied of the great players he has around him. He has understood that the most important thing is to put talent at the service of the team.
Although De la Fuente did not want to reveal the eleven, he did admit that there will be many variations on the one that beat Cyprus 1-3 in Limasol. Those who have the best chance of repeating are Robin Le Normand, Gavi (of whom the coach said that he is a gifted player who never wants to stop) or Lamine Yamal himself. Dani Carvajal can return to the right back and another Barça player, Íñigo Martínez, to the center of the defense. It is likely that Unai Simón will regain his place in goal after playing David Raya in Cyprus. Alex Remiro, the third goalkeeper, is the only one who has not made his debut, and he could also have his options.
The presence of Rodri Hernández is more certain, with Fabián Ruiz and Oihan Sancet as favorites to accompany him in the center of the field. Álvaro Morata and Joselu compete for number 9. Morata is one goal away from becoming the fourth top scorer in the history of the national team, chasing David Silva and focusing on Fernando Torres in the third step. Nico Williams also seems very likely.
Georgia suffered in Tbilisi against Spain the biggest defeat in its history (1-7). Their coach, Frenchman Willy Sagnol, said yesterday that they did not come with any desire for revenge but "with the intention of rehabilitating ourselves and playing a good game. Since that defeat we are a better team," he stated.
