After the conclusion of the Euro 2024 group stages on Wednesday, Spain’s knockouts route was revealed. Luis de la Fuente’s side will face Georgia on Sunday, fresh off the back of the Eastern Europeans’ historic victory over Portugal, which booked their place in the last 16 of the competition.
De la Fuente is under no illusions as to how difficult the task at hand will be, although that may not stop him from resting several members of his ideal starting line-up, as per Relevo. Both Dani Carvajal and Robin Le Normand are walking suspension tightropes, and with a possible quarter-final match-up against Germany on the cards, they could be taken out of the firing line, with Jesus Navas and Nacho Fernandez being likely replacements – although both players are struggling with minor fitness issues.
Furthermore, Dani Olmo’s impressive performance against Albania gives him chances to start over Pedri, who Spain are handling with kid gloves.
Although Spain defeated Georgia with an aggregate scoreline of 10-2 during the Euro 2024 qualifying campaign, including 7-1 in Tbilisi, the match in Cologne is sure to be far more competitive. It would be a risky strategy for de la Fuente to not play his strongest line-up, although it could pay dividends later in the tournament if he does rest players, and La Roja progress anyway.
