Santi Denia’s team is looking for the point that will give them first place in Group B and thus an easier path towards the fight for the title
MADRID, 26 Jun. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The Spanish Under-21 team faces Ukraine this Tuesday (8:45 p.m./La 2) the third and final day of the group stage of the European Under-21 Championship in Romania and Georgia with the leadership of Group B at stake, an objective that it would achieve in In case they are not defeated, thus avoiding the quarterfinal crossing against the winner of Group D, presumably France.
Santi Denia’s pupils reach the last day of the group stage with the main objective accomplished: to reach the quarterfinals of the tournament. However, they still have to certify the first place in the group, which they would achieve in the event of a draw or victory against Ukraine, which has also qualified after beating Croatia and Romania in the first two group stage matches.
The match against Ukraine is of vital importance for Spain, since it will settle the path that the ‘Rojita’ will have towards the final in Bucharest. In the event of being defeated, the team would fall to the bottom of the table, with many options to face France, one of the most powerful teams in the tournament, in the quarterfinals, while the leadership would allow a more affordable match against Switzerland or Italy.
Ukraine was already part of the path from the Under-21 to the European Championship in 2011. On that occasion, the last precedent between the two teams, the ‘Rojita’ of Mata, Javi Martínez or Muniain won 3-0 on the third day of the phase of denmark appointment groups. In addition, Spain and Ukraine have measured forces two other times, with a Spanish victory and a draw.
The Iberian team arrives at the match after a more suffered victory than expected against Croatia. Despite Abel Ruiz’s early goal after 20 seconds, the fastest in the history of the Under-21 European Championships, his best football did not come to fruition, giving the Croatians a chance in the final stretch of the match. For this reason, the duel against Ukraine will be key for Spain to recover good feelings for the final phase of the tournament.
In addition, two of the best defenses so far in the tournament will be measured. They are, together with England, the only teams that have not yet conceded a goal, and they are also the second and third teams in the tournament that have conceded the fewest shots on goal (four Spain and five Ukraine), only bettered by the three from the British.
As for Santi Denia’s lineup, rotations are expected. After qualifying, it is likely that the coach will take advantage of the match to rest some of the starters in the first two matches of the tournament. Gabri Veiga could have his first opportunity as a starter, as well as Sergio Camello, additions that would rest Sancet and Abel Ruiz. No changes are foreseen in the defensive line, in which Miranda, Paredes, Pacheco and Víctor Gómez would once again be part of the game.
For their part, Ukraine, whose only variation in the line-up on the first and second days was Sudakov instead of Bragaru in the midfielder, continues to do without its most talented player in the tournament, Mudryk, who has not yet made his debut in the tournament. Beyond the Chelsea player, Artem Bondarenko, Shakhtar midfielder, and Sudakov, also from the Ukrainian team, are the most differential players so far in the tournament.
DATASHEET.
–POSSIBLE ALIGNMENTS.
SPAIN: Arnau Tenas; Víctor Gómez, Paredes, Pacheco, Miranda; Antonio Blanco, Gabri Veiga, Álex Baena; Rodri Sánchez, Sergio Gómez and Sergio Camello.
UKRAINIA: Trubin; Sych, Batagov, Talovierov, Vivcharenko; Bondarenko, Brazhko, Kashchuk, Sudakov, Kryskiv; y Sikan.
–REFEREE: Donatas Rumsas (LIT).
— STADIUM: Giulesti Stadium.
–TIME: 20.45/2.
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Previous statistics Spain vs Ukraine (European Sub-21 group stage): https://www.epdata.es/estadisticas-previa-espana-vs-ucrania-fase-grupos-europeo-sub-21/0a69337f-a758-4014 -a0b7-5bfdb0f4350e