Spain’s predicted lineup for UEFA Euro 2024
Spain booked their place at Euro 2024 with an impressive performance during their qualifying campaign. Luis de la Fuente’s men finished at the top of Group A with 21 points from eight games. His troops won seven, lost one of those games, and head to Germany as the UEFA Nations League champions.
La Roja is one of the most successful nations in the tournament’s history, winning it on three occasions (1964, 2008, and 2012). However, they were knocked out of Euro 2020 by eventual winners Italy after suffering a 4-2 loss on penalties after a 1-1 draw over 120 minutes.
Spain will face Gli Azzurri in this year’s group stages, having been drawn in arguably the group of death. De la Fuente’s side will also clash with Croatia and Albania in Group B.
De la Fuente chopped and changed his team during their Euro 2024 qualifying campaign, but some mainstays remained, such as Manchester City’s Rodri and Real Madrid’s Dani Carvajal. Here, we look at the most likely starting XI La Roja will field in Germany for the European Championships.
GK: Unai Simon
Unai Simon has been De la Fuente’s first-choice goalkeeper since he succeeded Luis Enrique in 2022. The Athletic Bilbao shot-stopper has rarely put a foot wrong on international duty. He earned 39 caps, keeping 18 clean sheets, and was particularly impressed during his country’s Nations League triumph last year.
Simon, 26, is an important part of Spain’s build-up in play as he gets the ball rolling from the back with his composure on the ball. He’s also a commanding presence who will have no issue claiming high balls. He impressed for Bilbao last season with 18 clean sheets in 36 games across competitions. His closest competition will likely be Arsenal’s David Raya, but he appears ahead of him.
RB: Dani Carvajal
Dani Carvajal will be buoyant when he arrives with La Roja for Euro 2024, as he’s enjoyed a superb season at Real Madrid. The veteran full-back scored the opener in his side’s 2-0 win against Borussia Dortmund in the UEFA Champions League final. He’s been vital for his nation over the years, earning 43 caps with seven assists.
Carvajal, 32, has a wealth of club and international experience that will greatly benefit De la Fuente. He’s also shown no signs of age getting the better of him, still providing pace with overlapping runs on the flank. He was defensively astute throughout Madrid’s treble-winning campaign.
CB: Robin Le Normand
Robin Le Normand has been a regular under De la Fuente during his reign and looked the part for Spain. The Real Sociedad centre-back has earned 10 caps and was in excellent form at club level. He is physical in the tackle and isn’t afraid to show an aggressive side to put out fires for La Roja.
Le Normand, 27, is likely to be a starter at Euro 2024 and could be crucial in Spain’s chances of having a good tournament. If he and his defensive partner are at the races, then they stand a good chance of going far.
CB: Aymeric Laporte
Aymeric Laporte will expect to partner Le Normand and he’ll arrive in Germany off a somewhat topsy-turvy debut season at Al-Nassr. Speculation is growing over his future amid a struggle with adaptation in the Saudi Pro League. He is composed on the ball and energetic, while his tall frame allows him to win aerial duels.
Laporte, 30, impressed during his time at Manchester City and many were surprised they let him go last summer. He’s earned 28 caps since switching nationality from France in 2021.
LB: Alejandro Grimaldo
Alejandro Grimaldo was part of European football’s most impressive club last season as Bayer Leverkusen won the Bundesliga unbeaten. The rapid and creative left-back put up a remarkable 12 goals and 19 assists in 51 games across competitions.
Grimaldo, 28, has learned to tuck inside while playing under Xabi Alonso at BayArena. His versatility could be significantly important for his nation at Euro 2024 as will his winning mentality taken from his club’s incredible season.
CM: Rodri
Rodri is arguably the greatest defensive midfielder in the world and Spain’s most important player. He was vital for City as they won the title for a fourth season in a row. He appeared 50 times across competitions, posting nine goals and 14 assists, an unbelievable statistic for a holding midfielder.
The 27-year-old will look to run the show in the middle of the park for De la Fuente against the likes of Italy and Croatia. He could be the difference for La Furia Roja.
Also Read: 5 Young Emerging talents to follow in UEFA Euro 2024
CM: Pedri
Pedri is ready to be fit for the tournament amid an injury-plagued 2023-24 campaign with Barcelona. He was sidelined with hamstring problems for most of the season, managing four goals and five assists in 34 games across competitions.
The 21-year-old is a creative master when fit and available and a joy to watch for club and country. His nation will pray he can stay healthy because he can bring unpredictability to La Roja’s team.
CM: Martin Zubimendi
Martin Zubimendi has been on several European giants’ radars, including Barcelona and Arsenal, amid a stellar campaign with Sociedad. The versatile midfielder has appeared 45 times across competitions, posting four goals and one assist. He plays with maturity, and his footballing IQ is the closest Spain has possessed from a midfielder since Sergio Busquets.
Zubimendi, 25, can provide defensive cover for Rodri and Pedri if they venture forward to help create in transition. He’s the perfect candidate to be a starter or an option from the bench due to his controlling abilities on and off the ball.
RW: Nico Williams
Nico Williams is one of the fastest wingers in Europe and this often results in chaos for opposition defenders. The Athletic Bilbao attacker was in fine form last season, managing eight goals and a humongous 17 assists in 37 games across competitions. He’s also caught the eye for Spain, with two goals and four assists in 13 caps.
Williams, 21, could find himself battling it out with RB Leipzig’s Dani Olmo for a starting berth at Euro 2024. De la Fuente may just prefer his speed and strength in transition.
CF: Alvaro Morata
Alvaro Morata will captain La Roja in Germany and he has an impressive record for his nation in tournaments. The Atletico Madrid striker debuted for Spain in 2014 and has bagged goals at the European Championships and the FIFA World Cups. His overall tally is 34 goals and seven assists in 72 caps.
Morata, 31, has the backing of De la Fuente to lead the line for his nation and to captain the team. His experience could be important for the younger attackers who accompany him in the frontline.
LW: Lamine Yamal
Lamine Yamal will be on to watch for Spain as he’s established himself as perhaps the most exciting teenage talent in the world. The Blaugrana wonderkid is the youngest player and goalscorer in his country’s history. He’s also Barca’s youngest player amid a meteoric rise at Camp Nou. He registered seven goals and 10 assists in 50 games across competitions last season.
Yamal, 16, is being tipped to follow in Lionel Messi’s footsteps in Catalonia and thus will want the world watching him in Germany. He could further stake his claim as the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner’s heir.