Estadio Municipal Nuevo Vivero will host Spain’s first warm-up game ahead of the Euros 2024 against Andorra.
Spain will be looking for their first win of the calendar year when they host Andorra. With Luis de La Fuente preparing to lead Spain to his first major international tournament, he will be looking to build momentum in the friendlies before the start of the finals.
The Spanish national team parted ways with Luis Enrique following their Last 16 exit from the 2022 World Cup. They ended up appointing La Fuente to lead them into the Euros in Germany, and he has done a great job so far.
He has helped them win the 2022/23 UEFA Nations League trophy and qualify for the Euro 2024 with seven wins and just one defeat. Before they begin their Euro 2024 campaign against Croatia, they have two friendly encounters against Andorra and then Northern Ireland. Spain have been winless in their last two outings and they will be eager to return to winning ways heading into this one.
Andorra had a very tough time during the qualification stage as they finished at bottom of the Group I and could only manage two points in their ten outings. They have been winless in their last 15 outings across competitions and getting one better over Spain could be a huge boost for them as a footballing nation but it won’t be easy.
They played out a 1-1 draw against South Africa back in March before losing 1-0 to Bolivia. Given the kind of form they have been in, it is going to be a tough night for them but they will be eager to give it their all in search of a long-awaited win. The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at both teams and tries to predict the tactics they could put to use.
Team News & Tactics
Spain
Luis de la Fuente named a 29-man preliminary squad for the two friendlies, and he is expected to make a few experiments in the starting XI as he looks to finalise the squad for the Euros.
Aymeric Laporte is unlikely to feature in this one after having arrived late from the Middle East. Meanwhile, Dani Carvajal, Nacho and Joselu who recently won the UEFA Champions League with Real Madrid are also unlikely to feature in this one.
David Raya could get a start in goal with Spain expected to stick to the 4-2-3-1 formation. Jesus Navas and Marc Cucurella could be the full-backs, while Pau Cubarsi and Robin Le Normand could be present in the heart of the defence.
Manchester City star Rodri will pair up with Martin Zubimendi to form the double pivot in the centre of the park. Fermin Lopez could feature as an attacking midfielder, with Ferran Torres and Mikel Oyarzabal expected to provide width to their attacks. Ayoze Perez could be the one who leads the line for Spain in this fixture.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Raya; Navas, Cubarsi, Le Normand, Cucurella; Rodri, Zubimendi; Oyarzabal, Fermin, Ferran; Perez
Andorra
Meanwhile, Andorra have made a few changes to the squad that they had named back in March with Berto Rosas, Marc Vales, and Iker Alvarez making a comeback to the international setup.
The visitors will line up in a 5-4-1 formation, where Iker Alvarez will be in goal. Moises San Nicolas and Joan Cervos will feature on the flanks in the five-man defensive setup. They will act as the full-backs while Max Llovera, Christian Garcia, and Marc Vales are expected to form the three-man defence.
Marc Pujol and Jordi Alaez will look to provide width to their attacks as they will start out wide in the centre of the park. Eric Vales and Joel Guillen will feature in a more central role in an attempt to ensure Spain do not end up dominating the proceedings. Meanwhile, Ricard Fernandez Betriu will be leading the line for the visitors.
Probable Lineup (5-4-1): Alvarez; San Nicolas, Llovera, Vales, Garcia, Cervos; Alaez, Guillen, Vales, Pujol; Cucu
Key Stats
- Both Spain and Andorra have failed to win a game in 2024 so far.
- Andorra have been winless in their last 15 outings.
- Spain’s eight-match unbeaten run ended in March at the hands of Colombia.
- This is going to be the second meeting between the two teams, with the first ending 4-0 in favour of Spain back in 2006.
- The visitors could only manage two points in their 10 outings in Group I of the Euro qualifiers.
Player to Watch
Pau Cubarsi
Cubarsi has had a sensational rise in the 2023/24 season with Barcelona, he has worked his way into their starting XI and has established himself as an important part of their first team following 19 La Liga appearances. His consistent performances have also helped them make his debut for Spain and now it is time for him to showcase his class and book his place at the Euros.
Prediction
Spain 3-0 Andorra
Spain are clear favourites in this fixture given the kind of form they have been in and the fact that their opponents have been struggling to win a game for a long while. Andorra’s wait is expected to continue as this friendly is expected to be an easy outing for the home team. The Hard Tackle predicts a 3-0 win for Spain without much trouble.
