With top spot of League A Group 4 already secured, Spain face Switzerland in Tenerife to round up a resoundingly successful 2024. Here is a Spain predicted lineup for this one.
Spain Predicted Lineup vs Switzerland – Last Match Of 2024 For Hugely Impressive ‘‘La Roja’’
How Spain Have Lined Up Recently
Luis de la Fuente’s Spain side secured top spot in their Nations League group with a 2-1 win over Denmark a few days ago. Just three of the starters from their Euro 2024 final also started in Copenhagen on Friday evening.
De la Fuente maintained his trusted 4-2-3-1 formation but opted for a more vertical and direct approach, getting width from his fullbacks rather than his wingers. Mikel Oyarzabal and Ayoze Pérez got on the score sheet and were part of a front four that also contained Álex Baena and Dani Olmo.
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In defence, Aymeric Laporte was preferred to newly called-up Aitor Paredes to partner Dani Vivian at centre-back with Marc Cucurella and Pedro Porro, as expected, on the flanks. Álvaro Morata was brought on, leaving Samu Aghehowa waiting for his senior debut.
One player who did make his debut was FC Barcelona’s Marc Casadó, coming on to replace Martín Zubimendi in the 69th minute. Pedri, Nico Williams, and Fabián Ruíz were the other three to enter from the bench.
Spain’s Recent Form And Tactics
Spain certainly demonstrated their completeness in their victory at Parken Stadium. It was the wingers’ pace and ability to get beyond their markers that brought them success in the summer and since. But with Lamine Yamal watching the game from home and Williams watching from the bench, there was a verticality to the team we hadn’t seen that much of before.
Pérez’s goal, which turned out to be decisive, illustrated exactly this point. Zubimendi received the ball within the centre circle before drilling a ball to the feet of Olmo, who couldn’t be more perfectly placed in’“the hole.’ A one-touch and pass combination on the half-turn left former Leicester and Newcastle striker Pérez clean through, having made a run directly through the middle of the Danish backline. The ball was in the back of the net within 6 seconds of Zubimendi’s first touch.
Spain Injuries To Consider
Unfortunately for the reigning European Champions, four players have dropped out of the squad since the encounter with Denmark. Baena left the pitch in tears on 61 minutes, while Zubimendi asked to be subbed off following going down with discomfort. And although the latter’s Real Sociedad teammate, Oyarzabal, played the full ninety minutes, he has also left the camp as a precaution.
The fourth is the other goalscorer from Friday, Pérez. He felt something go in Spain’s open training session in Tenerife in front of a large crowd at the stadium where the match will take place. Unfortunately for him, he will be denied the chance to play for his country at his boyhood club’s home.
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Without any pressure to fill all the gaps now that the top spot in the group is theirs, De la Fuente has incorporated only one player for the game against Switzerland. Pablo Barrios of Atlético Madrid captained the U21 team that drew 0-0 with England U21s and is already in Tenerife with the rest of the senior squad to prepare for Monday’s match. It is the first time he has been involved with the national team above youth level.
The clubs that these Spanish players belong to will be hoping no one else falls victim to the “FIFA virus,” which means we could see a completely revamped starting eleven. Seeing as the game has no bearing on Spain’s status in the Nations League, the manager has full license to hand out debuts and caps to those unlikely to get them otherwise.
Spain Predicted Lineup Vs Switzerland
GK: Álex Remiro
RB: Oscar Mingueza
CB: Dani Vivian
CB: Aitor Paredes
LB: Álex Grimaldo
CM: Marc Casadó
CM: Pedri
CM: Mikel Merino
RW: Yeremy Pino
ST: Samu Aghehowa
LW: Nico Williams
