Spain will return to action for the first time since their World Cup round of 16 exit at the hands of Morocco last year in Qatar.
The side will play host to Norway on Saturday in their opening game of Euro 2024 Qualifier as Luis Dela Fuente who replaced Luis Enrique as head coach takes charge of his first game.
Spain have not been in action since losing on penalties to Morocco in the last 16 stage of the 2022 World Cup, but they will return to action on Saturday hoping to exhibit their brand of football which is free possession of the ball.
Dela Fuente has kept just 11 players from the World Cup squad with 15 faces, the new recruits. The 61-year-old tactician boasts of enough experience of handling Spanish teams having previously handled Spain’s under age teams that include U-19, U-21, and U-23 so he should have what it takes to make his mark.
On paper, La Roja are expected to top Group A which comprises of Cyprus, Georgia, Norway and Scotland, but Dela Fuente will face an uphill task of emulating Vincent del Bosque who won the World Cup in 2010 and the European Cup in 2012.
Spain have won this cup a joint record three times, but their best performance since their triumph in Kiev, Ukraine was a semifinal finish at the Euro 2020.
De la Fuente’s side will play Norway first then Scotland in this international break. Their next international engagement will be against Italy in the semi finals of the UEFA Nations league in June.
Meanwhile, their opponents Norway last kicked a ball in November in a friendly against Finland in which the two sides played out a 1-all draw.
The Lions were engaged in that friendly because they failed to qualify for the 2022 World Cup. In as far as the European Championship is concerned, Norway haven’t qualified for the competition since 2000.
But they will fancy their chances against their opponents tomorrow. Norway can put out a decent side with in-form Arsenal midfielder Martin Odegaard expected to lead his country against a youthful Spanish team.
TEAM NEWS
Spain’s Unai Simon is not available due to injury meaning David Raya will come in between the posts while Pedri was also withdrawn from the squad with a hamstring problem. Alvaro Morata will captain the side in this tie
Norway will miss their in-form striker Erling Braut Haaland who sustained a groin injury during their 6-0 mauling of Burnley in the FA Cup.
