Coach Luis de la Fuente and his team easily defeated Croatia with a score of 3-0 in the first match of Group B, EURO 2024.
Unlike previous tournaments, at EURO 2024, the number of players belonging to Barcelona and Real Madrid is no longer overwhelming compared to other clubs. In fact, Real Sociedad is the club that contributes the most players to the Spanish team at the tournament taking place in Germany, with a total of 5 faces.
However, in the starting lineup of the Spanish team against the Croatian team, the only player from Real Sociedad is center-back Robin le Normand. The remaining 10 positions come from Barcelona (2), Real Madrid (2), Athletic Bilbao (2), Atlético Madrid (1), Chelsea (1), Manchester City (1), Paris Saint-Germain (1).
The joy of the Spanish national team players. Photo: UEFA
Not only has there been a change in personnel, but the Spanish team's playing style has also changed. Alvaro Morata and his teammates do not have a superior ball control rate to their opponents with "harmless" passes. According to statistics, in the 90 minutes of the match against Croatia, the Spanish team only had a ball control rate of 47%.
However, the efficiency that the Spanish team achieved was extremely impressive. The 3 goals scored in the first half still did not reflect the "outperformance" of Alvaro Morata and his teammates compared to their colleagues on the Croatian team. It would not be an exaggeration to affirm that there is a very different Spanish team in Germany.
The ball fight between Rodri (number 16) and Luka Modric. Photo: Reuters
Witnessing the convincing performance of striker Alvaro Morata and his teammates against Croatia in the first match of Group B, which took place on June 15, most experts did not feel too surprised. Because the team nicknamed La Roja is a destructive machine under the leadership of coach Luis de la Fuente.
After more than a year and a half in charge (taking office in December 2022), coach Luis de la Fuente has built the Spanish national team into a winning machine. Before participating in EURO 2024, coach Luis de la Fuente's Spanish team excellently won the championship at the 2022/2023 Nations League.
Clearly, coach Luis de la Fuente is gradually making his mark on the Spanish national team. With a 3-0 victory over Croatia, La Roja is considered a strong candidate for the title at EURO 2024, along with England, Germany and France. Hopefully, the freshness will help the Spanish team compete successfully in Germany./.
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