U21 Euro Cup: A final with a margin of error

Spain enter the field where Luis de la Fuente performs better: the matches to all or nothing. The coach is a specialist in getting the best performance out of his footballers when they tournaments advance towards its final phase. Forever from less to more to arrive ready at the moments of truth.

Before the Czech Republic This U21 generation faces its really decisive first duel, of those in which if you lose you can go home (follow the game live on AS.com). La Rojita, yes, this time has a certain margin for error: He will be mathematically in the quarters if he wins but also if he draws. Even a defeat would qualify them for the next round if Italy did not beat Slovenia.

Again De la Fuente loses his most destabilizing footballer: Brahim will not be in eleven. Too Zubimendi arrives between cottons from a blow to the rib and Moncayola has options to enter as a defensive pivot. With the Osasuna team the team loses some vision of the game but wins physically, a factor that will be fundamental.

La Rojita has managed to make his defensive fortress one of his greatest virtues (only one goal conceded in 12 official matches), but he continues with the pending issue of having more fang in the final meters. Dominate, display a colorful football … and the inspiration goes too often when they look out into the area. Without Brahim, Manu Garcia must step forward. The Sporting man is running an outstanding campaign and has a golden opportunity to show himself to the world. Will also be key that Handful keep your good tone, because you have emerged as the footballer with the most goals in this Spanish team.

The Czech Republic It is the selection profile that tends to make Spain very uncomfortable. They are physical, They play with five behind and feel comfortable without taking the initiative in the game. His approach will be similar to that performed against Italy in debut (1-1): minimize your own mistakes and remove the maximum performance of others. For this reason, La Rojita must solve the mistakes in the exit of the ball that almost cost him a displeasure against the azzurri. If they succeed, they will have a long way to go. Today ends the first phase of this atypical championship from which the Spanish must return with the ticket to the quarterfinals.

Aces to follow

Handful: It has come at a great time. He scored in the first game and was voted MVP in the second. Overflow, speed and goal.

Sadilek: He is the leader of this fifth. Left-handed, with very good ball hitting and a great vision of the game.

Keys

Safety behind: Spain has seven consecutive games without conceding a goal. They hardly create opportunities for you. If he keeps a clean sheet again, he will be mathematically in the quarterfinals.

Aim: Against Italy, Spain generated little up. The two 'nines' (Abel Ruiz and Dani Gómez) have not yet scored in the tournament. La Rojita needs you.

Depth: The Czechs play with three centrals and two backs. The Spanish full-backs must be long to force the help of the centrals and thus open up a selection that will withdraw.

Strategy: La Rojita generates many corners and side fouls but finishes very few. The whiteboard should be a weapon in this kind of tight match.