Spain wants to consolidate its leadership at the expense of Kazakhstan

Spain wants to consolidate its leadership at the expense of Kazakhstan

MADRID, 16 Oct. (EUROPA PRESS) –

The Spanish under-21 team faces this Tuesday (3:30 p.m./Teledeporte) the third match of the qualifying phase for the European Under-21 Championship in Slovakia 2025 against Kazakhstan in Astana, a match in which the leadership of Group B could be consolidated and with which they will try to leave behind the unexpected draw achieved last Friday in the friendly against Uzbekistan U23.

Santi Denia’s team will seek full victories in the first three days of the qualifying phase of the Under-21 Euro Cup in Slovakia. A victory that, if achieved, would consolidate ‘la Rojita’ in the leadership of Group B with 9 out of 9 possible points. To do so, they will have to beat Kazakhstan in Astana, which is, along with Malta, the only team in the group that has not yet managed to score a point.

It will be the fifth match between both teams in the category, with an immaculate record so far for Spain, which has won the four previous matches. Furthermore, the Kazakh team has gone 14 consecutive games without winning, of which 11 have ended in defeat. For its part, Spain comes from a goalless draw against Uzbekistan U23 in a match in which the lack of aim was the main reason for ‘la Rojita”s setback.

Against Kazakhstan, Santi Denia will leave the rotations aside and opt for a more recognizable eleven than last Friday. Pablo Cuñat would return to goal after being substituted against Uzbekistan, while Alejandro Francés would enter the axis of defense alongside Rafa Marín. Changes are also expected in the midfield, where only Veiga would repeat as a starter. His companions aim to be Iker Muñoz and Javi Guerra, so Fermín López, one of the great novelties on the list, would wait for his debut in an official match with the U-21.

On the sides, Juanlu could make his debut as a starter after having his first minutes with ‘la Rojita’ against Uzbekistan, while on the left side the wing would be for Wolverhampton full-back Hugo Novoa, who also played 45 minutes in Friday’s friendly . The performance of both in the match will be key to breaking the Kazakh defensive framework, and for much of the match it will be common to see them in positions more typical of the wingers.

Where more alternatives appear in the Spanish eleven is in the offensive trident. Samu Omorodion aims to be the Spanish offensive reference, with the wingers being the most contested positions. The good minutes of Fran Pérez in Uzbekistan and the good form of Assane Diao, make them start with an advantage to be in the starting game. Despite this, Diego López and Ilias Akhomach, both scorers in the last match against Malta, have options to enter the eleven.

A match in which the role of the Spanish bench can be key in the outcome of the match. Very important will be the freshness they can provide at times when Kazakhstan’s defense shows weaknesses. This was demonstrated by Pablo Torre and Turrientes against Malta and Scotland, matches in which both midfielders were protagonists with goals. Especially key was the goal by the Real Sociedad midfielder in Jaén against the Scots, a goal in the 83rd minute that ended up giving the team three points.

For its part, Kazakhstan will present a close match against Spain, in which the crowding of players in their own field will be the trend. A model that makes them especially rocky when they play and that put Belgium in trouble – they won with a solitary goal in the 77th minute – and Hungary – they barely had 4 shots on goal in the entire game – in the two games they have played. so far in the qualifying phase.

In case of victory, the Spanish team would add its sixth consecutive victory in a qualifying phase. A journey whose last setback dates back to 2021, when the team, then led by current senior coach Luis de la Fuente, was defeated by Russia at the Khimki Arena.

DATASHEET.

–POSIBLE ALIGNMENTS:

-KAZAJISTAN: Anarbekov; Dobay, Kasabulat, Zhumakhanov, Kalmyrza, Tkachenko; Buribayev, Nazymkhanov, Dadayev, Kaldybekov; y Sviridov.

-SPAIN: Cuñat; Juanlu, Francés, Rafa Marín, Hugo Novoa; Iker Muñoz, Javi Guerra, Gabri Veiga; Fran Pérez, Samu Omorodion and Assane Diao.

–REFEREE: Walter Altmann (AUT).

–STADIUM: Astana Arena.

–TIME: 3:30 p.m./Teledeporte.