UEFA EURO 2024 Group B : Spain V/s. Albania Match Preview and Lineups

UEFA Euro 2024 Group Stage

25 June, 2024 - Indian Date

Düsseldorf Arena

MATCH TIMES

India

12:30 AM

UAE

11:00 PM

Saudi Arabia

9:45 PM

FULL TIME

Spain [1-0] Albania

Predicted Lineups:

Spain possible starting lineup: Raya; Navas, Vivian, Laporte, Grimaldo; Merino, Zubimendi, Baena; Torres, Joselu, Oyarzabal

Albania possible starting lineup: Strakosha; Hysaj, Ajeti, Djimsiti, Mitaj; Asllani, Ramadani; Asani, Laci, Bajrami; Manaj

Match Preview

Luis de la Fuente has Spain performing impressively at Euro 2024, having secured their place in the knockout stages with dominant victories over Croatia (3-0) and Italy (1-0). Despite this success, De la Fuente is cautious about drawing comparisons between his current team and the legendary Spanish sides that won the World Cup in 2010 and the European Championship in 2012.

De la Fuente emphasizes that his team still has much to prove: "We have a long way to go to catch up with that national team you mentioned because they won the Euros," he said. He acknowledged the need for continuous improvement, indicating that while there is optimism about the team's potential, they have not yet reached the heights of their predecessors.

The historic Spain team featured luminaries such as David Villa, Andres Iniesta, Xavi, Iker Casillas, and Carles Puyol. The current squad has its own stars, with Rodri playing a pivotal role in midfield akin to Xavi. However, Rodri will miss the next match against Albania due to suspension. De la Fuente remains confident in his squad’s depth and abilities: "We want to send out what we feel is the best side. We have complete confidence in our 26 players here."

Spain's solid defense has been a standout, with the team and France being the only ones yet to concede a goal in the tournament. This defensive strength, coupled with their offensive capabilities, positions Spain as a formidable contender. However, De la Fuente acknowledges the potential of other strong teams: "I don't think we've seen the real quality of certain teams yet... when you head into the knockout phase, there's no room for error."

As Spain prepares for their final group match against Albania, De la Fuente insists on maintaining focus and avoiding complacency. The team's objective is to continue winning and improving, setting the stage for a robust performance in the knockout stages. Spain's blend of emerging talent and experienced players provides a solid foundation, but De la Fuente remains mindful of the challenges ahead and the high standards set by Spain’s past glories.