The Time of truth in this very unusual European Championship. Have been two long months of waiting since the group stage ended and La Rojita faces these quarter-finals against strengthened Croatia, because it recovers fundamental players who arrived then touched (Zubimendi, Brahim …) and returns Bryan Gil, which in March was summoned by the Absolute.
The situation of Brahim, one of the stars of this generation and who arrives at the best moment of his career. He was a starter in the last four league games in Italy, in which Milan Was played a place in the Champions League, and he answered: two goals and one assist. He retains the magic of always, that aura of a special footballer that has accompanied him since he was a child, but now he is much more mature and better chooses when to pass, dribble or shoot. This must be your Eurocup.
He has a group of excellent players to accompany him. This generation has fewer proper names than others, mainly because there are four with the Absolute, but De la Fuente has once again managed to make them more of a team than a selection. That union, as cliché as it may seem, is key in such short tournaments.
The great pending subject of La Rojita is still The goal, because it marks little in relation to what it generates. Although he did not score in the first phase, De la Fuente maintains his faith in Abel Ruiz because he liked what he brought to the group. Also, add to the list Fer Child, a striker who is a personal bet of the coach. He loves it. The contribution of Handful from the midfielder (can even act as a false nine). He has carried out a fabulous campaign in Segunda with the Spanish (12 goals and eight assists) and this should be the moment of his confirmation. Many important clubs are waiting for him and this championship can change his life.
The rival
Opposite will be Croatia, a rival who arrives with a plus of motivation: this is the first time they have reached the quarter-finals in this category (the group stage was their ceiling). Have good individualities and that competitive character that always accompanies Croats.
There are three Croatian footballers who will only be available for this afternoon's game against Spain. They are Domagoj Bradaric, Lille defender, Josko Gvardiol and Lula Ivanusec, the latter two defender and Dinamo Zagreb midfielder. Win or lose they will abandon concentration tomorrow because Dalic, coach of the Croatian absolute, has summoned to play the European Championship this summer. The three are under-21 age, are fundamental and in the Croatian federation they have preferred that they help in this decisive match, although if they qualify they can only have 20 players for the semifinals and the final. In Spain there are four U21s with the Absolute (Éric, Pedri, Olmo and Ferran), but it was decided that they go directly to Luis Enrique.
Noticed
The yellow cards What did the footballers see in the first phase March is accumulate for this meeting. In this way, Spain has a four players warned penalty: Guillamón, Zubimendi, Gonzalo Villar and Manu García. The first three point to headlines this afternoon, so if they see another card they would miss the semifinals if Spain passes. Croatia has Bradaric, Ivanusec, Babec, Kulenovic and Spikic on notice. On semifinals Yes, I know they will erase all the cards previous.
Aces to follow
Bryan Gil: He returns after playing with the Absolute in March. The level dropped in recent months, but its imbalance will be fundamental for Spain.
Ivanusec: Fast, technical winger with good ball hitting. In addition, he has a lot of goal. The most dangerous.
Keys
Safety behind: Spain haven't conceded a single goal in the last eight games (including the three in the group stage). If you maintain that strength in defense you will have a long way to go.
Zubimendi: In March he arrived touched and could hardly contribute. Now he is 100% and is key both in attack and defense in that role of defensive pivot.
Ending: Spain reaches the final meters with ease, although sometimes it is difficult for them to finish. The forwards must be daring today in the area.
Left: Pedrosa, a left-handed winger, has much more offensive spirit than Mingueza, who will be on the right. La Rojita will overturn the game on the left side.