Spain’s boss Luis Enrique has described his side as a bottle of cava waiting to be uncorked.
However, the bubble will remain on ice and untouched unless La Roja qualify for the Euro 2020 knockout stages, with two incredible draws leaving them in an unpleasant position as Group E prepares to finish.
There have been complaints about the quality of the pitch at Sevilla’s La Cartuja, Alvaro Morata’s finishing ability and the ghosts of previous Spanish teams. Whatever the reason for their failures – and there are many to choose from – the truth is that Spain has been one of the least observable teams in the euro so far.
The winners of 2008 and 2012 must find a style that matches their leader in snowmobiling if they are to go deep in this tournament.
A top! pic.twitter.com/7cP5v9xz1m
– LUISENRIQUE (@ LUISENRIQUE21) June 22, 2021
A draw is the absolute minimum required to qualify for the 16-year-olds, but only a convincing victory will somehow appease the fans.
This is how Spain could face Slovakia on Wednesday …
Azpilicueta looks set to be recalled for Slovakia meeting / JAVIER SORIANO / Getty Images
Unai Simon (GK) – The Athletic Club man has become Luis Enrique’s number one this tournament after much speculation. He has admitted once (to only the world’s best football player Robert Lewandowski) in the two matches so far.
Cesar Azpilicueta (RB) – The Champions League winner is likely to be reinstated at right-back in place of Marcos Llorente, who is an attacking midfielder in the trade.
Jordi Alba (LB) – One of Spain’s best performers to date, Alba was captain of La Roja in the absence of former Covid striker Sergio Busquets.
Aymeric Laporte (CB) – The new Spanish international got a tough time from Lewandowski who brushed him far too easily for Poland’s equalizer in 1-1.
Pau Torres (CB) – The coveted Europa League winner is a sure start for Spain’s crunch tie with defenders Diego Llorente and Eric Garcia not yet playing a minute in the tournament.
Captain Busquets is ready to return / Quality Sport Images / Getty Images
Sergio Busquets (CM) – Start returning to the captaincy for his eleventh match in Euro, after missing the first two after a positive Covid test.
Pedri (CM) – The teenage Barcelona star continues to look like Spain’s most creative outlet. Despite Luis Enrique’s supposed desire for more experience against Slovakia, Pedri will probably start again.
Thiago Alcantara (CM) – The Liverpool player has only played 25 minutes of the tournament so far, but can be used instead of Koke as part of a Barça-trained engine room.
Morata has been the subject of whistles from the home crowd at Euro 2020 / Quality Sport Images / Getty Images
Dani Olmo (FW) – The former Dinamo Zagreb star started from the left in both of Spain’s matches so far ahead of Real Sociedad’s Mikel Oyarzabal.
Gerard Moreno (FW) – Despite missing a penalty, the top-scoring Spaniard impressed in La Liga’s 2020/21 season against Poland and was assisted by Alvaro Morata’s goal.Alvaro Morata (ST) – The biggest (not always fair) criticism during a bad group game from Spanish. However, Luis Enrique does not bow to fan pressure and has said that only David Villa or Harry Kane would be improvements on Morata.
