New Faces Called Up – Spain Predicted Lineup Vs Denmark

Reigning European Champions Spain travel to Copenhagen to play Denmark in the penultimate match of the Nations League group phase. Read on to find out who Luis de la Fuente is likely to select to start on Friday night.

Marc Casadó And Samu Aghehowa Receive First Call Ups – Spain Predicted Lineup Vs Denmark

How Spain Lined Up In Previous International Break

Back in October, Spain played the home fixture against Denmark in a game they won 1-0 thanks to a late goal from Martín Zubimendi. In a cagey match that needed a goal from nothing to win it, De la Fuente changed the whole of the front four players in an attempt to find the winner. Zubimendi, in the Rodri role, played alongside Pedri and Fabián Ruíz in the middle of the park, with Lamine Yamal and Mikel Oyarzabal flanking captain Álvaro Morata up front.

In defence, Pedro Porro played the full ninety minutes in both the matches against Denmark and Serbia, giving good reason for him to be Spain’s first-choice right-back while Dani Carvajal remains sidelined. Dani Vivian and Aymeric Laporte kept their partnership going for 172 of the 180 possible minutes across both outings, and at left-back, Marc Cucurella and Álex Grimaldo were given a full ninety each.

Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya played all possible minutes across both matches, cementing his place further as De la Fuente’s preferred man in goal (at least whilst Unai Simón recovers from his long-term hand injury).

Spain Form And Tactics Post Euro 2024

Spain have already managed to qualify for the quarter-finals of this edition of the Nations League, picking up ten points in the four matches played so far. Only a drab 0-0 draw in Serbia has spoilt a perfect record for La Roja, scoring eight times since.

There have been questions in the ever-unforgiving Spanish media as to whether the performances have warranted an unbeaten campaign, with shaky moments in the first half against Switzerland and a tight victory over Denmark. However, despite being convincing, this team continues to win, and in doing so, it is creating a feeling surrounding the national team that this country hasn’t witnessed for over a decade.

They may not have the world-dominating names like they did between 2008 and 2012, but they continue to dominate the midfield with players such as Fabián, Dani Olmo, and Pedri pulling the strings. The depth of the midfield is also impressive; Mikel Merino, Alex Baena, and Aleix García have all been utilised to maintain possession-heavy displays.

One thing that this team possesses over the golden generation is the way they break through teams with pace and the ability to get beyond defenders out on the wings. Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams provide a dynamism that allows for a more direct route to goal rather than always looking to pick teams apart with intricate moves that end with passing the ball into the net.

As previously mentioned, Spain are safely through to the quarter-finals, so De la Fuente may try a new approach with different players in this match. One would assume the 4-2-3-1 into a 4-3-3 formation will be kept, but, with so much midfield talent available, wide men could be replaced for a more vertical-looking team.

New Call Ups

The most in-form Spanish striker in the world has just been given his first senior call-up by Luis de la Fuente. Samu Aghehowa has eight goals in eight league matches for FC Porto plus another four in four in the Europa League. Recently, having changed his surname from Omorodion for this reason, he has spoken about his mother being his biggest inspiration and motivation in his career.

Another youngster who has exploded into the world’s view this season, FC Barcelona’s Marc Casadó, has also earned a first call to the senior national team. He produced two stunning performances in one week against Bayern Munich and Real Madrid, which caught the eye of De la Fuente. He comes into the team at the expense of Aleix Garcia and Gavi.

The final new boy in this November squad is Aitor Paredes of Athletic Club. The 24-year-old centre-back could be used to replicate his club-level partnership with Vivian. He’ll have stiff competition from Pau Cubarsí and Aymeric Laporte, but if things are clicking into place with Vivian, we could see

Injuries To Consider

There are new injuries that have forced changes to be made since the squad was announced. Yamal has headed back to Barcelona, which opens a spot on the right-hand side of the pitch for someone to occupy. Pau Torres is the other to have fallen since the team got together in Madrid. They have been replaced by Bryan Gil and Cubarsí, respectively.

The other notable absences remain the same since the last international break, all suffering from long-term injuries. Rodri, Carvajal, and Simón were all starters in the final of Euro 2024.

The good news is that Olmo and Williams have returned from the setbacks that kept them out of October’s squad – both key elements to the summer success. Williams has so far struggled to hit the blinding form he demonstrated last season, while Olmo has hit the ground running at Barça under Hansi Flick.

Spain Predicted Lineup Vs Denmark

GK: David Raya

RB: Pedro Porro

CB: Dani Vivian

CB: Aitor Paredes

LB: Marc Cucurella

CM: Martín Zubimendi

CM: Fabián Ruíz

RW: Ayoze Pérez

CAM: Dani Olmo

LW: Nico Williams

ST: Samu Aghehowa

Oliver Cores

Sports Writer specialising in Spanish Football. Oliver has followed Spanish football since a child supporting his family's teams, Atlético Madrid and Real Oviedo. He was based in Spain where he attended frequent La Liga and second division matches from which his love for writing came. Oliver has a background in tennis and has also previously written about the sport.