Düsseldorf (Germany).- Everything is joy and proclamations of friendship and good vibes in the concentration of the Spanish National Team, exultant after the victories against Croatia (3-0) e Italy (1-0) that has given them a pass to the second round as first in the group. La Roja will close the first phase this Monday with an inconsequential qualifying match against Albania (9:00 p.m.), but can be worth a lot for the deserving ones who must step forward and demand their opportunity in training. Olmo, Mikel Merino, Zubimendi, Grimaldo and Oyarzabal belong to that group.
De la Fuente, yes, has encountered a small complication while he is thinking about the eleven (there will be countless changes) in the company of his squire Pablo Amo: has a problem with the centrals. It seems clear that Vivian will debut in a Euro Cup, but none of her three possible companions is in an optimal situation to start alongside her.
Nachofirst of all, still has muscle discomfort who prevented him from playing in Gelsenkirchen three days ago. This Sunday he trained again on the sidelines with the retrainer and his presence has been ruled out. It is not advisable to take risks with the pass in your pocket and before the big thing comes (round of 16 next Sunday and a hypothetical quarterfinals later against Germany in Stuttgart).
Le Normandthe most starter of all, saw a yellow card against the Italians and If you receive another one, the first crossing will be lost., something totally inadvisable due to the importance of the defender of French origin for the coach and the hierarchy that he gains day by day in the National Team. From within it was celebrated that Rodri was reprimanded at the Arena AufSchalke (they showed him the second and he will miss this match) and they also do not want to see the realist’s participation in Cologne threatened. The normal thing, therefore, will be that it doesn’t even heat up, like Carvajal, the other warning.
This problem leads to Laporte, who reappeared against the Azzurra After almost a month without competing in an official match, I have to partner with Vivian and repeat in the eleven. It doesn’t seem like the ideal solution either: He ended up cramped at Schalke’s home and has just recovered from a muscle contracture in the right adductor. Placing him at the start again, only 94 hours after giving him 90 minutes against Spalletti’s team, also implies certain danger.
The decision
In any case, this (betting again on Laporte) is presented as the most probable and surely advisable option despite the accumulated fatigue. De la Fuente, not fond of changes when things are working, does not want anything to tarnish the pristine path that the National Team has taken until now. And he knows better than anyone that, although the country is excited these days with the victories and the good game, a slight slip against the Albanians will once again raise doubts before the truly important thing begins. The Vivian-Laporte couple wins… and on the horizon is the possibility that, if the duel gets back on track soon, replace the Al-Nassr defender and find an emergency solution.
There are qualified alternatives in the workforce to solve a problem. Zubimendi, for example, played in a U-19 European Championship as a centre-back and stood out for his forcefulness and ability to distribute the game from behind. He lacks defensive concepts and perhaps size, but with his ball delivery and ability to escape pressure, he has plenty of arguments to perform for a while in an exceptional situation. Mikel Merino, an ‘8’ who can act as a ‘6’, has been tested by De la Fuente as a left-footed centre-back in several exercises at Aasen base camp.
Regardless of who complements him, the Merkur Spiel-Arena duel It will be special for Vivian. She will make her debut in a Euro Cup and will have the support of her family in the stands. It is worth remembering that the Athletic centre-back was almost on the verge of taking the field in the final stretch against Italy due to Laporte’s fatigue and that, after he told the bench that he was ready to finish, he ended up putting his sweatshirt back on and he was left with honey on his lips.
His performance throughout the course with Valverde’s team makes him a guarantee: he dominates the aerial game, wins duels and is one of the defenders faster of the Old Continent (only the Williams brothers have surpassed him in top speed this season with their team). The coaches value him enormously for his level in training and his commitment and he has already worn the La Roja jersey in the friendlies against Colombia (March) and Andorra (June). He, Jesús Navas, Grimaldo and eight more They will be in charge of closing the league with a good taste in their mouths and completing a possible full of victories… to continue the path of the 2008 champions.
