Glasgow (Scotland) (EFE) Hand of Luis de la Fuente, with fewer moments of gaps compared to the appointment against Norway at La Rosaleda, in a demanding test against Scotland, which ensures maximum intensity.
With the nerves of the debut removed and looking for improvement since the victory, De la Fuente faces his first demanding outing. The result in Malaga reflected more forcefulness than the sensations shown on the pitch at La Rosaleda against Norway. Luis de la Fuente’s project has only just started and with just four days of training, his idea of style for the national team was not reflected on the pitch.
He was successful due to his success in the changes and for having a ‘plan b’ with a greater variety of center forwards to choose from. Joselu Mato’s record double led to a necessary triumph in which the need for more filming was evident. And Hampden Park will test a renewed block that demands leaders.
It was Kepa in his return to the goal, Rodri assuming the weight of the selection in the center of the field and Dani Ceballos when he jumped onto the pitch to change the script of a game in which Spain had given up dominance. The substitution of Ceballos surprised everyone when he was expected, marking the style of the game and is emerging as one of the novelties against Scotland.
“You have to keep growing,” De la Fuente admits that he still doesn’t see the mechanisms he wants to instill in retouching a style. In his 4-2-3-1 there are demarcations to which he must adjust names, with Gavi and Iago Aspas far from their natural demarcations, with a lower performance than what they claim in their clubs. Players like Fabián Ruiz, who assisted against Norway, or Nico Williams, if Spain wants to exploit the counterattack, appear as variants that the coach can throw.
Kepa’s two saving saves, the kind that give points, reopen a debate that was buried in the goal. It will be for June in the final phase of the League of Nations when Unai Simón is recovered. For Glasgow, the doubt points mainly to the lead due to the great performance of a pure auctioneer like Joselu on the day of his premiere. He is fighting for ownership with Álvaro Morata. Another novelty that refreshes the team with little rest between games and a delayed trip, could be the entry of José Luis Gayá on the left side.
In recent months, Scotland have seen a big improvement and will have the addition of striker Lawrence Shankland, the second highest scorer in the Scottish league, as an additional threat against Spain. Steve Clarke, the Scottish coach, called on the Midlodean Hearts striker, a team from Edinburgh, who has scored 21 goals this season in his league, to replace the starting “nine” Che Adams, who is out with a calf injury.
on the scottish side
The Scots arrive with a sweet Scott McTominay, Manchester United player, after signing a double in Saturday’s victory against Cyprus (0-3), which allows Scotland to co-lead with Spain. Despite this, it is not certain that the United man will start, as he did not against Cyprus.
It will largely depend on whether Clarke decides to form with five back, as he did in the last clash, to give his dangerous wingers more freedom, or if he adds one more midfielder. He is joined by Scottish captain and Liverpool winger Andy Robertson, who provided two assists in the last game.
As offensive arguments, Scotland will turn again to John McGinn, who wants to become the fifth player to reach twenty goals with his team (he has 16) and QPR striker Lyndon Dykes.
Their win over Cyprus was the first time since 2006 that Scotland had opened a Euro 2018 qualifying campaign with a win. Despite everything, the coach drew attention after the game to the need to improve the game, as Scotland were dominated by Cyprus at various stages of the game and only McTominay’s late goals made up the result.
Spain have emerged victorious on two of their five visits to Glasgow. The last time she visited Hampden Park was in 2010 (2-3), being world champion and on the way to the last continental win at Euro 2012. Her present, far from success in recent tournaments of greatness, marks it a reconstruction that seeks triumphs of substance.
probable lineups
Escocia: A Gunn; R. Porteous, G. Hanley, K. Tierney, A. Hickey, R. Jack, C. McGregor, A. Robertson, J. McGinn, S. Armstrong, Lyndon Dykes.
Spain: Kepa; Carvajal, Laporte, Nacho, Gayá; Rodri, Mikel Merino or Gavi; Nico Williams or Aspas, Ceballos, Oyarzabal; Morata.
Referee: Sandro Schärer (Switzerland)
Stadium: Hampden Park.
Time: 20:45 CET (18:45 GMT).