An ogre before the final

Spain-Portugal, a classic in the lower categories that this time serves to select the first finalist of the U21 Euro Cup. The most fearsome attack versus the best defense. Spain has only conceded one goal in this tournament and two in 14 games if the classification is added. Portugal has eleven in four games in the championship (2.75 on average), something that is not by chance because in the qualifying phase they averaged 2.9 (29 in 10 games). He comes from scoring five against Italy in the quarterfinals. Big words.

De la Fuente has a vital absence in defense: Guillamón loses it by penalty. That will move Mingueza to the center and Óscar Gil enters on the right side. On the left is the great doubt: Pedrosa arrives, but very just: Miranda can enter. Villar and Puado will be the other novelties regarding the team that played against Croatia.

Portugal, for its part, lost Correia (Valencia) and Trincao (Barça) to COVID in the previous week, but still presents a fearsome list: Florentino, Vitinha, Vieira … He will play Spain face to face.

These generations have crossed over in recent years. In 2016 Portugal won the U-17 European Championship by defeating Spain in the final, in the generation of those born in 1999. Nine of those champions are playing today. In 2019, the generation of 2000 took their revenge in the Under-19s: they defeated Portugal in the final. Their cycle begins in September, but they have advanced it: Portugal has eight born from 2000 and Spain has nine. Many pending accounts to settle in a match that is worth a final.

Keys

Álvaro Fernández: The Spanish goalkeeper has an outstanding tournament. One of the leaders of the dressing room must be the head of defense without Guillamón. His personality and security, keys to stop Portugal.

Velocity: First match of the tournament in which Spain plays against a rival that is not going to close. With spaces, it is time to take advantage of the speed of players like Puado or Bryan Gil.

Ball out: Spain loses starting from behind with the absence of Guillamón. Mingueza and Cuenca must take more risks and Zubimendi will have to help behind.

Possession: The two teams enjoy with the ball and suffer without it. Who better knows how to manage the phases in which the rival submits him will have a lot to win.

Success: Portugal is lethal up front and Spain needs too many chances to score. La Rojita must sharpen her aim because she will have little margin for error.

Aces to follow

Zubimendi: His match against Croatia was imperial. If he is well, Spain rules the games. Having the ball today is more than half a game.

Speck: The killer from Portugal arrives very connected to this match after getting a double in half an hour against Italy.