Coach Luis Enrique tried to remain optimistic about Spain’s probabilities of advancing within the Nations League following a disappointing residence loss to Switzerland.
After all, La Roja can nonetheless safe a spot within the Final Four with a win in Portugal on Tuesday. “It’s a final and we will go there to try to win it,” Luis Enrique mentioned after the 2-1 loss to Switzerland on the weekend, which dropped Spain from first to second in Group A2 forward of the decisive match in Braga.
But beating Portugal isn’t one thing Spain has been capable of do not too long ago. The Iberian neighbors have drawn their final 4 matches, and Spain has not gained at Portugal in almost 20 years. Its final victory in opposition to Portugal got here in a penalty shootout within the semifinals of the 2012 European Championship, and earlier than that it gained within the spherical of 16 of the 2010 World Cup in a match the place Portugal complained of an offside on David Villa’s successful objective within the second half.
Playing in Portugal, Spain is winless since a 3-0 victory in a pleasant in 2003, when Fernando Torres made his nationwide crew debut with Spain, and never lengthy after Cristiano Ronaldo started enjoying for Portugal. The groups have drawn 4 straight since coach Fernando Santos took over Portugal after the 2014 World Cup.
Spain wants the victory after seeing its 22-game unbeaten run at residence ended by Switzerland on Saturday. Portugal gained 4-0 on the Czech Republic to take first place and earn an opportunity to advance with a draw on Tuesday. “Our goal would be the same even if Spain hadn’t lost, we will try to win the match in Braga,” mentioned Portugal defender Diogo Dalot, who scored twice in opposition to the Czech Republic. “It’s going to be a complicated match but we will do out best to make it to the next round.”
Only the group winners advance to the Final Four, which will likely be performed subsequent June. Portugal has 10 factors, two greater than Spain. Switzerland has six factors, two greater than the Czech Republic forward of their match in Switzerland to attempt to keep away from relegation.
Spain is on the lookout for its second consecutive look within the Final Four after ending runner-up to France final yr. At that point, it additionally wanted a last-day victory to advance to the Final Four, and it did it by stunning Germany 6-0 at residence. Luis Enrique mentioned he didn’t anticipate many adjustments within the squad for the match in opposition to Portugal regardless of the loss on Saturday, although he admitted the crew had to enhance its defending of set items, which is how Switzerland scored each of its objectives.
Portugal, the winner of the inaugural version of the Nations League in 2019, may even see the return of ahead João Félix, who was not accessible for the match in opposition to the Czech Republic due to an damage. He rejoined his teammates in coaching on Sunday.
