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July 5 – In a tale of heavyweights, namesake wingers, and undoubted high-octane football, Spain will be the favourites in their quarter-final against Germany, but home manager Julian Nagelsmann believes that his side has enough to claim possession and win the match.
Whichever side wins, whichever young winger whizzes his way past markers, whoever gets that decisive goal, Germany – Spain is not just the blockbuster clash of the last eight, but also a final avant la lettre.
Indeed, both on current and historic form, this match arrives somewhat too soon in the tournament and there is a lot at stake for both sides: Germany last won a major finals in 2014, Spain in 2012. They spent the best of the last decade in the wilderness, slumping from one disappointing defeat to another, but at Euro 2024 they have emerged as the two main favourites, perhaps because of a lack of competition elsewhere.
“We have a lot of quality ourselves and many approaches to fight a team who likes ball possession,” said Germany manager Nagelsmann at a news conference. “We have variants. Spain will have difficulties to adapt as well. It is also our approach to have the ball.”
“Spain try to press very high. When they lose the ball, but also when they have the ball they try to get the ball as high as possible. They are good in transition now when they win the ball as well.
“It’s not so much tiki-taka anymore. It’s how they create more chances, more than in the past, but they also take risks and we can find solutions in these situations in a football way — and I think we will do that tomorrow.”
Luis De La Fuente, Head coach of Spain
Spain have been deeply impressive, swathing aside both Croatia and Spain in the group stages, defeating Albania 1-0 with a second-string side and running out comfortable 4-1 winners in the end against Georgia in the round of 16.
Lamine Yamal, the youngest player ever to debut at a European championship, and Nico Williams have given…
Source link : https://www.insideworldfootball.com/2024/07/05/nagelsmann-de-la-fuente-set-stage-germany-spain-blockbuster/
Author : Paul Nicholson
Publish date : 2024-07-05 10:39:32
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