The new stage of the Spanish team ended with a comfortable victory against Norway (3-0) in the first qualifying match for the 2024 Euro Cup. La Rosaleda de Málaga witnessed the debut on the band of coach Luis de la Fuente. Here my keys:
Luis de la Fuente applied a 4-3-3 for his debut. But only in the first half since, in the second half and with the entry of Ceballos, the team went to a marked 4-2-3-1. Regarding the idea, parameters very similar to those of the L.Enrique stage: a lot of ball and willingness to subdue the opponent very close to their area. Of course, different protagonists and some new positions. Four footballers who were not in the World Cup started as starters (Kepa, Nacho, Mikel Merino and Aspas). The latter in an interesting position since the coach placed him as a right midfielder. It is also interesting that he maintained the same role as Gavi at Barça, placing him as a false left winger or that, with the change in the system, he opted for the Rodri-Mikel Merino couple.
With Gavi starting from the open but finishing inside in all his attacks, the left sector had many entry spaces that Balde took advantage of magnificently. And it is that the Barcelona side was the main source of danger in many sections of the match. He is very fine, electric and with enormous confidence. In fact, the team focused 48% of its attacks on the left in the first half while only 30% on the right and, with a total of 62 interventions, Balde was the second most important outfield player in the overall game . From an action of his that ends with a shot, the 1-0 is originated. Clear candidate to win the left wing of the De la Fuente era.
The party also left two other proper names. The first is that of Dani Ceballos, who will be an important piece for the new coach. He has always liked her. And playing released as a midfielder, the only one, he shows that he is a player with that extra creativity that few have. And the second, the great name of the meeting, Joselu. He spent fourteen minutes on the field and only touched five balls, but he had enough to score two goals and show that his profile is different from the others. And it is that the striker is an area player with the skill and instinct necessary to take advantage of centers and second actions. His two goals prove it: the first, in a header from Fabián’s center and, the second, pure opportunism.
