Spain has touched down in Prague, ears tuned, after a tough taste of defeat for teams like England, France, Croatia and Belgium. A margin for error remains slim as two points slipped away in Seville, leaving fate to a draw with a Portugal squad intent on forcing a Final Four berth.
Luis Enrique’s squad faces the Czech Republic, a team that ascended to group leadership by beating Switzerland and shifting the Netherlands to the side while the European Championship cycle unfolds. The Spanish coach has made it clear that confidence is earned and not given. He has emphasized a clear truth: football shifts with the seasons. Recent losses by Belgium and France prove nothing is guaranteed, and winning in Kosovo or Georgia is a reminder of how demanding the road can be. Enrique plans a strategic reshuffle at eleven while ensuring some players rest ahead of the clash with Portugal. He insists he carries a pool of 25 starters and will preserve the team’s identity even if personnel changes are frequent.
“For us, the goalkeeper should always step up as the first line of attack and the forward should be the team’s initial defender. There isn’t a match we don’t create more chances than our opponent. Our aim is to win wherever we play and against whoever stands in front of us. We will press, push after losing possession, take risks. Then we’ll see if the result favors us, but our intention remains to lead the game whether the opponent is France, Italy, or the Czech Republic,” the coach explained. These words set the tonal plan for the encounter.
️ @LUISENRIQUE21 National coach: “We expect a very difficult match. The Czech Republic has climbed from League B, yet they showed they can beat anyone.”
➡️ “A brave team that defends well and plays on home soil.” #VamosSpain | #LeagueOfNations
– Spanish Football Team (SeFutbol) June 4, 2022
big turnover
All players are available for selection in Spain, with the exception of Thiago, who suffered a lapse in concentration leading to a muscle issue. Ansu Fati might see a few minutes, though rhythm remains a concern and Enrique may prefer a gradual integration.
Lis Enrique is expected to deploy a lineup of eleven “smart players accustomed to possession and quality,” with Raúl de Tomás spearheading the attack. The midfield could feature Rodri, Koke, and Gavi, while Dani Olmo and Ferrán Torres may be favored in the final third. Marcos Llorente, Eric García, and Dani Carvajal are likely to start, with no fresh news about the goalkeeping situation, though the coach has highlighted the existence of three capable starting goalkeepers. The message remains that football is changing, and these Nations League fixtures, squeezed into a schedule that bleeds into a vacation period for many, prepare footballers for a rhythm that is intense yet more relaxed than the usual club calendar.
️ @Koke6player: “I want to score for the National Team, though it hasn’t happened yet despite a flurry of matches.”
➡️ “I’m happy even if I don’t score if the team wins.” #VamosSpain | #LeagueOfNations
– Spanish Football Team (SeFutbol) June 4, 2022
Speaking of Barca
In this summer atmosphere, discussions drift toward the ongoing conversations around Barcelona. Gavi’s contract renewal has dragged on, with the club proposing a long-term deal that is edging toward reality. Rumors swirl regarding wage adjustments for some staff, and Raúl de Tomás’s potential departure from Espanyol is the next possible chapter, with rumors linking him to new destinations under management from Diego Simeone.
Yet one certainty remains: Spain cannot afford a slip against a stubborn Czech side. The team must rebound from the Sevilla setback by securing three points in Prague. Any outcome short of victory could erase hopes of advancing to the Final Four.