SPAGNA – SWITZERLAND | Saturday 8.45pm
Spain, in League Group 2, are masters of their own destiny. Luis Enrique’s Roja are competing for the Final Four with Portugal, who are one point behind and have to chase. But with six points in their last two matches – one of which is the direct clash scheduled for next Tuesday in Braga – there would be nothing for the Lusitanians to do. Qualification could even come a round earlier if Busquets and his teammates beat Switzerland, the bottom of the group, and if Portugal loses in the Czech Republic. Everything, then, is in the hands of the Red Furies, who initially seemed destined for a largely anonymous Nations League after their opening two draws against the Portuguese (1-1) and Czechs (2-2).
Luis Enrique and his men turned things around, starting with the match against Switzerland, decided by a Pablo Sarabia goal, which was followed by a 2-0 success in the return leg against the Czech Republic, punished by Soler and, once again, the Psg striker. The former Roma and Barcelona coach has called up the best players and expects important responses also in view of the imminent World Cup: Spain has been drawn in a decidedly demanding and insidious group, with Germany, Costa Rica and Japan. As for Murat Yakin’s Swiss, on the other hand, the objective is to avoid finding themselves in League B and the prospect is that of a tight duel until the last day with the Czechs, who have one point more. Switzerland, perhaps gratified by their brilliant World Cup qualification at the expense of Italy, only got their first three points in the last match against Portugal, thus halting the worrying haemorrhage of defeats.
Rodriguez and Ferran Torres
The Prediction
Spain are fully booked and should not make any missteps against Switzerland, and then can play with two out of three results against Portugal. Luis Enrique’s men can be trusted. In the last two Nations League matches, they have always kept their goal unbeaten, showing a defensive solidity already glimpsed at Euro 2020. Roja are likely to win and score at least two goals against the Swiss.
The likely line-ups for Spain v Switzerland
- SPAIN (4-3-3): Simon; Dani Carvajal, Eric Garcia, Pau Torres, Jordi Alba; Gavi, Busquets, Koke; Sarabia, Morata, Ferran Torres.
- SWITZERLAND (4-3-3): Sommer; Widmer, Akanji, Elvedi, Rodriguez; Freuler, Xhaka, Sow; Shaqiri, Seferovic, Embolo.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 2-1