The final of the second edition of the Nations League is set to center stage at San Siro with two heavyweight nations in Spain and France eyeing the silverware to resist Euro disappointment. Spain arrived at this stage cancelling host Italy's unbeaten record while France played a dramatic 3-2 win over Belgium in the semifinals of the competition.
Match Details :
When: Sunday, October 10/ Monday, October 11
Timings: 20:45 (local)/ 00:15 (IST)
Where: Stadio Giuseppe Meazze, Milan, Italy
SPA vs FRA Match Preview :
Whether Nations League is considered a major prize or not in the eyes of the international football fraternity is up for debate but by no means these two nations aren't taking it seriously. After all, it's silverware to fight for and boast about.
Luis Enrique's Spain put an end to Italy's 37 games unbeaten record, spanning over three years, through a classy display in a 2-1 win. The goal they conceded was due to the error from them as Italy were thwarted by La Roja's attacking game. Ferran Torres once again rose to the occasion for Spain by scoring a brace in the first half elegantly doing the business for his side. This was a much-needed win for the red shirts as they somewhat started international duties poorly after the European Championship exit from the semifinals. Enrique's side has produced some quality football most of the time so are desperate to add a trophy to ensure their eminence.
France's path to the final was not so smooth as they found themselves 2-0 down against Belgium before the break. However, Les Bleus roared back in the second half with Benzema, Mbappe from the spot-kick and a picturesque winner from Theo Hernandez to make it 3-2 on the night. Quite evidently, France are pumped by defeating strong opposition in this manner and are hoping to reward themselves with the trophy at the end. Deschamps knows he will be reassured of his duties if it materializes after facing a lot of criticism for France's last sixteen exits against Switzerland and disappointing results in World Cup qualifying matches a month ago. This is the third tournament final Deschamps is leading France to.
Recent Form :
Spain: LLWWW
France: LDDWW
SPA vs FRA Team News :
Spain's semifinal hero Ferran Torres did limp off the pitch four minutes into the second half after scoring two outstanding goals in the first but the forward has labeled the issue a 'minor annoyance'. Luis Enrique has also called the injury not to be serious so the Manchester City star is expected to lead the line. He is playing the striker's role efficiently especially for his country in Alvaro Morata's absence. Enrique has no means to change the winning eleven from the semifinal so youngster Gavi gets a chance again. The 17-year-old Barcelona prodigy impressed a lot in his record-breaking debut for Spanish armada, dominating the midfield and restricting his idol Marco Verratti from having an influence in the game.
France still don't have N'Golo Kante in midfield due to Covid so Deschamps is expected to retain his back three formation for the final. Aurelien Tchouameni could start ahead of Adrien Rabiot alongside Paul Pogba for more solidity in the middle of the park. He came on as a 75th minute replacing the Juventus man in the semifinal and is ready for a start here. The final for the Nations League will be Antoine Griezmann's 100th cap for Les Bleus with a strike in the final will allow him to become all time third highest goalscorer for his country ahead of Michel Platini, both on 41 goals.
SPA vs FRA Predicted Lineups :
Spain: Unai Simon; Cesar Azpilicueta, Aymeric Laporte, Pau Torres, Marcoa Alonso, Koke, Sergio Busquets, Gavi, Pablo Sarabia, Ferran Torres, Mikel Oyarzabal
France: Hugo Lloris; Jules Kounde, Raphael Varane, Lucas Hernandez, Benjamin Pavard, Paul Pogba, Aurelien Tchouameni, Theo Hernandez, Antoine Griezmann, Kylian Mbappe, Karim Benzema
Head to Head :
Spain and France last faced each other in 2017 in an international friendly which La Roja won 2-0. Luis Enrique's side also have a pretty good record against France having won six in the last ten encounters with them. Les Bleus only managed to secure victory in two games in this period with a 3-1 victory in the 2006 World Cup a bright spark in this barren run.
GK: Simon (SPA)
DEF: Azpilicueta (FRA), Varane (FRA), Laporte (SPA), T. Hernandez (FRA)
MID: Gavi (SPA), Busquets (FRA), Pogba (FRA)
FW: F. Torres (SPA), Benzema (FRA), Mbappe (FRA)
Match Prediction: Spain 1-2 France
Spain does enjoy an appreciative record against France in recent meetings and is capable enough to bag the silverware that will enlighten Enrique's era in the Spanish dugout but it seems Les Bleus are the side to beat in the finals. Didier Deschamp's men have suffered recently however they won't be losing focus in the decisive moment.
