Fernández Menà © ndez, Miguel à n
Spain Under-21 defends title in an atypical European Championship that takes place in Hungary and Slovenia. The postponement of the absolute category, which went from 2020 to 2021, caused a domino effect, since it occupied the dates that were reserved for this championship. The group stage starts today and the quarterfinals, semifinals and final will be played in May and June.
La Rojita debuts this afternoon with only two training sessions in preparation. He does it against Slovenia, the host, who is one of the debutants of the tournament. The effect of playing at home is reduced because there will be no public (all games are behind closed doors), although they have the advantage of having concentrates since March 18, four days before the Spanish.
Spain has been diminished by the six Under-21s that De la Fuente has summoned, who join the loss of Ansu Fati. Seven titular theorists. Therefore, the figure of Brahim acquires even more importance. He must be the leader, the differential player. To support their fantasy football, the National Team arrives at the tournament with players with hours of flight in the First Division such as Pozo, Cucurella or Zubimendi. In addition, two names to take into account: Gonzalo Villar and Manu García. They have less bill than others but they can explode in this championship.
Slovenia, for its part, is a great stranger because it did not make it to the qualifying round as the host. Despite this, their four friendlies played after the pandemic reveal a more than acceptable level: three draws (against Russia, Germany and Hungary) and only one defeat (Italy). They play at home and they won't make it easy …
Aces to follow
Brekalo: The one who puts balance and criteria in Slovenia. It provides a plus in intensity that your team needs.
Cucurella: The casualties make him the most experienced in La Rojita. You must pull the car at key moments.
Keys
Stopped ball: Slovenia knows that in height it is one of the few sections in which it beats Spain. He will squeeze every option he has at his disposal from set pieces.
Half Point: Finding imaginative footballers like Brahim or Manu García between the lines will be essential to open a defense as tight as that expected from Slovenia.
Zubimendi: Essential for the balance between defense and attack, to avoid rival counterattacks. He must also be the one who organizes almost all the plays with the ball.
Dani Gomez: The goal has been the pending subject of this generation in the qualifying phase. You arrive at the right time and it is yours to make a difference in the area.