Spain vs Croatia the UEFA Nations League final is shaping up to be a cracker as football giants Spain and Croatia go head-to-head. Glorious history and full of young skill this match must be watched by every football lover. In this tactical preview, we will take a further detailed look at the lineups and potential game plans that might be adopted by both of these heavyweights.
The New Era Under De la Fuente in Spain
The new coach guiding Spain into the tournament, Luis de la Fuente, must be rightly keen to restore it to its old perch of European football. This team is currently in a state of flux as some aging veterans should start their new rote while plenty of young talent fills the roster.
Here is a look at Spain’s probable starting XI:
Unai Simon: The man in goal The agility and reflexes of his shot-stopping made him a dependable last-ditch barrier.
Expected lineupsDefense: Dani Carvajal, Robin Le Normand, Aymeric Laporte and Jordi Alba. Carvajal and Alba provide width going forward from their respective full-back roles, with Le Normand in the heart of defense alongside Laporte.
Midfield: Rodri, Gavi, and Mikel Merino are in the driving seat to dictate the tempo of play. There is a rock in Rodri with the legs of Gavi and then Merino to give them some stardust.
Attack: Dani Olmo, Alvaro Morata, and Marco Asensio should form the three-pronged forward line for Spain. In addition, the dribbling skills of Olmo and his eye for a pass combined with Asensio’s inside-to-shoot-from-range options would make life uncomfortable for any defense. His positioning and his finishing make him always in the picture to score a goal.
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Croatia: Tradition & Strength
Croatia The Luka Modric-led side rarely backs down from a fight and fighters are exactly what is needed when the chips fall. They lost some big names from their 2018 World Cup adventure but this is still a side good enough to claim the odd scalp. The potential starting lineup of them:
Goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic: The Ukraine-based custodian will be between the sticks for his country. But he can never be forgotten for his penalty shootout heroics at the World Cup.
Defence: Josip Juranovic, Martin Erlic, Joško Gvardiol, and Borna Sosa are set to start across the back four. In particular, Gvardiol has emerged as one of the most exciting young defenders in world football.
The backbone of the Croatian side, a midfield trio of Luka Modric, Mateo Kovacic, and Marcelo Brozovic. This is a midfield with Modric’s vision and passing ability, Kovacic’s ball-carrying skills as well as Brozovic pressing and work rate that together dominate anyone.
Attacking trio: Mario Pasalic, Andrej Kramaric, and Ivan Perisic at the front for Croatia. Two players stand out in the Croatian attack, their best-ever goalscorer Kramaric and Perisic who is versatile with a lot of experience.
Tactical Battles to Watch
This game is not just about the pool of talent but also the tactical strategies and how one counterpart edges over another. Meanwhile, the key tactical battles after Joshua Kimmich picked up an injury just days earlier.
Spain’s Possession & Croatia on the Counter-Attack: Spain is a team known for their possession-based play whilst Croatia would arguably prefer to sit back and try to hit teams through counter-attacking. The passing and movement of Spain will test Croatia.
Midfield Battle: It is the battle in the middle of the park which will be key to how Leicester’s performance arises. These are two of the best midfielders in world football, and whichever side can dominate that area could go on to win the meeting.
Set Pieces: Whether it’s the last one; both teams have a bunch of goals from set pieces. Croatia especially, having a squad that is on the whole taller than their English counterparts, will likely enjoy some success of their own from set-pieces.
Conclusion
Spain Vs Croatia The UEFA Nations League final won’t be a snoozer, as this matchup shows! Both teams have something to prove for the remainder of this season as well and their goals are sure to lift that trophy. Whether it is passed on or turned off will be determined tomorrow but this match celebrates if you like what football can bring and the talent that these two nations have. So, take a seat and enjoy the sumptuous game!
FAQs:
Where was the UEFA Nations League final between Spain vs Croatia played?
The match was played at De Kuip Stadium in Rotterdam, Netherlands.
When was the match played?
The match was scheduled for Sunday, June 18, 2023.
What time was the kick-off?
The kick-off time was 7:45 PM BST (12:15 AM IST on Monday, June 19).
Where could I have watched the match?
The match was broadcast live on various sports channels around the world. Live streaming options were also available online.
Who were the favorites to win?
Spain was considered the slight favorite due to their home advantage and the current form of their squad at the time.
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