Iceland examines the locksmiths of Luis Enrique

The Spanish team faces a new test of firmness in the areas at Riazor. After the festive but agonizing victory they obtained last Saturday over modest Albania, Luis Enrique’s pupils land in Riazor to face Iceland in the second of the friendlies scheduled by the Federation in preparation for the World Cup in Qatar. The current benefits of the Vikings directed by Arnar Vidarsson are not those offered by that block that six years ago became the great revelation of the European Championship in France, but they present an adequate profile to continue testing the capacity of La Roja when looking for the tickling castellated rivals is about. Paid land for locksmiths.

Beyond the wonderful atmosphere that was experienced last Saturday in Cornellà, with a fondness for the national colors and a great desire to revel, the Spanish team did not offer too many arguments for enjoyment. He commanded as expected although, once again, it was difficult for him to find ways to threaten Berisha’s goal. The youthful drive of Yéremy Pino and the sense of smell of Ferran Torres were decisive when it came to unraveling the match, but an unfortunate action by Pau Torres compromised the victory until Dani Olmo resolved at the buzzer with a great goal of the house.

The pyrrhic victory in Barcelona once again puts the focus on the difficulties that Spain has when it comes to translating its attractive proposal with the ball into forceful markers. It is true that in today’s football there are already few experts in candy and almost any opponent has options to get on the beards of much more reputable opponents if they have a good night, but La Roja needs to be more authoritarian in the hot areas of the field so that the matches do not end up becoming a continuous journey over the wire.

With this challenge that his team is more expeditious in the rearguard and poisonous in the forefront, Luis Enrique faces the new friendly in La Coruña, a place that the national team had not stepped on since September 2009, when the team that Vicente del Bosque ruled at the time He thrashed a Belgium 5-0 in which Eden Hazard was already appearing on the way to the World Cup in South Africa that enthroned an unforgettable generation. Silva, on two occasions, Piqué and Villa, also twice, scored the goals in a stadium that the national team had visited four times before and in which they remain undefeated.

Rotations

The Asturian coach will almost completely change the eleven that he had against Albania with the aim of distributing workloads and granting opportunities to all the members of the expedition that he gathered for this window of friendlies. That will mean Unai Simón’s return under the sticks after David Raya’s debut, since Robert Sánchez left the concentration last Saturday for personal reasons and the premiere of Arnau Tenas, Barça B goalkeeper whom the coach from Gijón recruited from the sub -21, would represent an eccentricity.

Azpilicueta and Jordi Alba would refresh the wings, with Laporte and Guillamón, unpublished in Cornellà, forming the axis of a defense questioned due to its vulnerability in the fights. Spain receives few rushes from opponents for the goals it concedes. Marcos Llorente and Koke, who also did not jump onto the Espanyol field, will have minutes in midfield, as will Carlos Soler, who came on in the second half. Yéremy Pino, who until now has looked revulsive, has many cards to add his first start with the national team on the offensive front.

Opposite will be an Iceland that has just drawn against Finland in a friendly held last Saturday at Real Murcia. The Nordic team has accumulated three draws and two defeats in its last five games, came penultimate in its group in the qualifying phase for the Qatar World Cup and has only won once in its nine clashes with Spain, more than 30 years ago years. But the Vikings, who on the other hand La Roja have never defeated by more than a goal advantage, want to follow the example of Albania and put Luis Enrique’s troops in a bind.