De la Fuente names a 26 players or more for Norway clash in Euro 2024 qualifying
Spain’s coach, Luis de la Fuente, is expected to assemble a squad featuring up to 26 players for Saturday’s meeting with Norway, a fixture that doubles as a crucial step in the Euro 2024 qualifiers. While Aymeric Laporte was unable to attend the morning session due to congestion, the defender’s progress has been encouraging. His condition is improving, and he is anticipated to be in contention for the Scandinavian duel and the weeks ahead as Spain strengthens its midfield and defensive balance against the Norwegians.
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De la Fuente gets off the pier: a Spain without Wi-Fi and more football than ego
Spain conducted a focused study session on Wednesday, beginning with a 45-minute briefing that analyzed Norway, followed by the morning training and a return to work in the afternoon. The intent was clear: sharpen the routines, tighten the clicking gears, and ensure every player understands their role in the game plan for the weekend. The environment emphasized clarity, precision, and collective intent rather than individual theatrics.
Time is running fast, and the coach aims to finalize the automatisms that will guide Saturday’s clash. This marks a new chapter for Spain, with de la Fuente stepping into the role with the air of someone who continues to learn while trying to drive results on the continental stage.
Laporte or Iñigo Martinez
Laporte has not featured in Manchester City’s recent squad selections, yet the coaching staff remains convinced of his importance at the back. The plan to utilize a left-footed central pairing brings Iñigo Martínez of Athletic into the equation, providing complementing strengths in distribution and anticipating opposition moves. Together, Laporte and Martínez are seen as pivotal to Spain’s ball‑progression game, a feature that will be tested against Norway and later against Scotland in Glasgow. The emphasis is on building a confident, cohesive defense that can sustain pressure and enable midfield control.
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A right-handed defender, Nacho aims to start with his fine form. In conversations with the media, he suggested that his preferred position would be the pivot role, and the tactical setup may hinge on how the defensive line transitions into attack from that pivot space. The back line has seen Carvajal and Porro on the right flank, with the left side featuring Aquilaar and Gayà as the junior wings who provide width and pressing support.