Cristiano in the Wanda. Those four words are enough for a friendly to be more than just a friendly. They sound like a derby, a big game even if there are no points at stake. Because it is a friendly and at the same time it is not. For several reasons. For the fact that the crack returns to Madrid, because he does it with the reigning continental champion, Portugal, and because it is measured with a Spanish team that will surely have something to talk about in the Eurocup which is around the corner. If the team goes far, because we will recover the bulls in the flags and the horn in the street; and if it does not, because we will attend a carousel of “of course, if it is that with that list of summoned” that will have us in permanent gathering until Qatar 2022. Let's keep that it is a Spain-Portugal and with the extra joy that the Wanda stands will reopen fifteen months later. Damn pandemic, blessed fans (follow today's game live on As.com).
The truth is that Spain and Portugal have grown theirs in the last hundred years. We celebrate this afternoon the centenary of our first match with a ball at our feet. It was in Madrid's O'Donnell stadium. Then we were aware that there were others to whom the result (also luck) smiled more; now we do it with the conviction that both teams are soccer powerhouses. They were yesterday, without going any further, by starring in the semifinals of the U21 Euro Cup, They are this afternoon and aspire to be at the meeting that starts on June 11 in Rome.
The rival's packaging helps. Portugal is not only Cristiano, it is Cristiano and much more, a team with an XL physique and enormous talent from midfield upwards. The Juve (for now …) will not face this time Sergio Ramos, whose shadow is long and wide, because its name will not take three seconds to arise at the slightest hint of doubt among our centrals. The important thing today is to recover the sensations of good football that we missed in the three qualifying games for him World Cup 2022 played this year. Nothing to do with that 6-0 a Germany. It is difficult to navigate between these two results, the recital before the always fearsome Mannschaft and the prick at home with Greece (1-1). Or the agony to bring down Georgia (1-2). Too much to suffer. So let's get vaccinated with optimism, let's offer our best face to Portugal.
On the lawn, news and few certainties. Robert Sánchez could make his debut under sticks after Unai Simón's six consecutive starts. Changes are also expected in the axis of the rear, where Pau Torres is a fixture for the Euro. Laporte awaits his debut as a Spanish international, while Marcos Llorente filled out the application to occupy the right side. In the average everything points to Busquets as a handlewhile it would be strange if Elm, Luis Enrique's inalienable bet, he was not a starter. The only thing clear: ATraoré lady will not have minutes for muscle discomfort. It is true that Fernando Santos she does not arrive in Madrid with all her jewels. The citizens Silva, Days or Cancelo are missing, while Bruno Fernandes may have to catch a breath after the demanding season with United. João Félix will be Cristiano's great partner in the Portuguese attack. In his stadium, the same one that has been waiting for his magic for months. Will it be tonight when I get her back? It is in the hands of Luis Enrique and his, who are ours, to avoid it.