There’s so much to talk about when it comes to this match between Group B Iberian rivals – Spain and Portugal.
Three days ago, the news broke out that Spain’s national team manager Julen Lopetegui will be taking over Real Madrid’s vacated coaching position. The next day, instead of casting their vote on the 2026 World Cup host, the Spanish delegation headed to Krasnodar’s national team base. Later that day, the decision was made to relieve Lopetegui of his duties, too much discontent among the players. Since then, Fernando Hierro has been appointed as the man who will lead Spain during the 2018 World Cup. The entire situation is a messy one for both sides. Lopetegui and Real Madrid could’ve easily waited for the World Cup to end before making the announcement, while the Spanish Football Federation could’ve acted a bit more patiently. On the other hand, its hand was forced by Lopetegui’s untimely betrayal.
Now, The Red Fury comes into the 20:00 o’clock game against Portugal in Sochi’s Fisht Stadium on Friday night with one big question mark that has us wondering how will they cope with the circumstances. Fortunately for Spain fans, this is an experienced bunch that has walked on fire for club and country. They’re not easily rattled and based on comments after the coaching change, they are not worried at all. As captain Sergio Ramos put it:
“There are no cracks. We are all individuals and we all think differently, but the collective idea is the same. We are here to go for the World Cup.”
“The reality is that we will change little, we don’t have time. We have clear ideas and we are not going to change our concept of how to play football one jot.”
Portugal will not change its concept either. Why would it? It worked in 2016 when Fernando Santos’ men won the European Championship. A few new faces are here, replacing some old ones, but the general idea remains – play strong defence, don’t concede and don’t think how you win as long as you do. Out of the seven games at Euro 2016, the Portuguese won only one in regulation, the semi-final against Wales (2-0). They tied all the group games, defeated Switzerland and Poland on penalties and then Eder scored an extra-time winner in the final. It goes without saying that there was plenty of luck involved in Portugal’s title-winning run, making a repeat performance highly unlikely.
As far as the match against Spain is concerned, I think it’s safe to call it a rivalry since it’s always a rivalry when neighbours meet. The last two times that happened, Spain won. During the 2010 World Cup, a David Villa strike eliminated The Navigators in the Round of 16, while in Euro 2012, a goalless semi-final draw was decided on penalties. Considering the style of both teams, we can assume it’s going to be a low scoring affair. The absence of Dani Carvajal could be crucial. He was going to be assigned with the task of shutting the door on his teammate Cristiano Ronaldo. Carvajal is one of the few right backs in the world actually capable of doing it. Real Sociedad’s Alvaro Odriozola, on the other hand, is a much less experienced player and will have a hard time against the co-best player in the world. On the opposite side, Portugal has the defensive players to negate Diego Costa. If there’s one centre-back who can match Costa’s intensity and dirty tricks, it’s Pepe. I don’t think there’s going to be a winner, but if anyone wins, it’s going to be Portugal.
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