Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente insists his facet are but to realize something at Euro 2024, regardless of qualifying for the knockout levels with a recreation to spare.
De la Fuente watched on as his facet earned their second victory of the event towards Italy on Thursday, with Riccardo Calafiori’s personal objective ending the Azzurri’s 10-game unbeaten run within the competitors.
The 1-0 triumph in Gelsenkirchen noticed La Roja earn a 3rd consecutive victory over Italy for the primary time. Spain have additionally received their first two video games at a Euros event to nil for simply the second time, additionally doing so in 2016.
Nonetheless, De la Fuente is aware of his facet have extra to do to elevate their third European Championship crown, insisting his gamers will present humility forward of dealing with Albania in Dusseldorf subsequent Monday.
“We’re nonetheless a good distance off successful the European Championship. We haven’t but achieved something. Okay, we’ve received some necessary matches. We’ve fantastic prospects,” De la Fuente stated.
“However soccer may also be very merciless. So we must be cautious. We must be humble. We have to present respect.”
#VamosEspaña | #EURO2024 pic.twitter.com/rW3qPBpT1s
— Selección Española Masculina de Fútbol (@SEFutbol) June 22, 2024
For Albania, a last-minute equaliser by Klaus Gjasula towards Croatia, making him simply the second participant to attain a objective and an personal objective in a single match on the Euros, saved their hopes of qualifying for the knockout levels alive.
The objective marked the primary time Albania have scored greater than as soon as in a match at a serious event, and their attacking abilities will must be firing as they intention to penetrate Spain’s resolute defence, who of their final recreation, restricted Italy to only 4 photographs – their fewest on the Euros.
Head coach Sylvinho is hopeful of masterminding Albania’s first victory towards La Roja, promising supporters his facet will give every little thing to make sure their memorable journey in Germany continues.
“What I promise to the Albanian folks is that we’ll combat for each level,” Sylvinho stated.
“Towards Spain will probably be tough however we should get pleasure from these moments.”
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Albania – Kristjan Asllani
In Albania’s first two video games towards Italy and Croatia, Asllani led the way in which for his nation in photographs tried (4), photographs on course (two), profitable passes (91), and passes within the closing third (20).
The Inter midfielder has additionally created the joint-most probabilities (three) however is but to register a objective involvement for Albania.
Spain – Nico Williams
Williams created probably the most probabilities (4) and accomplished the joint-most dribbles (4) of any Spain participant towards Italy on matchday two.
The final Spaniard to create as many probabilities and full as many dribbles in the identical recreation on the Euros was Andres Iniesta towards Croatia in 2012 (additionally 4 for every).
MATCH PREDICTION: SPAIN WIN
La Roja boast a powerful file over their opponents coming into the encounter in Dusseldorf, having received all eight of their earlier conferences (31 objectives for, three towards).
It’s Spain’s finest 100% file towards any opponent, alongside Liechtenstein and Malta, whom they’ve additionally confronted and crushed on eight events.
Spain may also be trying to keep their excellent begin to the competitors heading into the final 16, and a win will see them win their opening three video games on the Euros for the second time after 2008, an version the place they might go on to assert their maiden title.
Nonetheless, Albania will probably be hoping to start out effectively and make it rely this time round. Sylvinho’s facet have netted the opening objective in every of their two group video games however are but to win (one draw, one loss). No nation has ever scored first in three European Championship video games in a row and did not win any of them.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Albania – 16.7%
Draw – 21.6%
Spain – 61.7%
