Coach Luis Enrique tried to remain optimistic about Spain’s possibilities of advancing within the Nations League following a disappointing house loss to Switzerland.
In spite of everything, La Roja can nonetheless safe a spot within the Last 4 with a win in Portugal on Tuesday.
“It’s a remaining and we’ll go there to attempt to win it,” Luis Enrique mentioned after the 2-1 loss to Switzerland on the weekend, which dropped Spain from first to second in Group A2 forward of the decisive match in Braga.
However beating Portugal isn’t one thing Spain has been capable of do lately. The Iberian neighbors have drawn their final 4 matches, and Spain has not received at Portugal in practically twenty years.
Its final victory towards Portugal got here in a penalty shootout within the semifinals of the 2012 European Championship, and earlier than that it received within the spherical of 16 of the 2010 World Cup in a match the place Portugal complained of an offside on David Villa’s successful purpose within the second half.
Enjoying in Portugal, Spain is winless since a 3-0 victory in a pleasant in 2003, when Fernando Torres made his nationwide group debut with Spain, and never lengthy after Cristiano Ronaldo started enjoying for Portugal.
The groups have drawn 4 straight since coach Fernando Santos took over Portugal after the 2014 World Cup.
Spain wants the victory after seeing its 22-game unbeaten run at house ended by Switzerland on Saturday. Portugal received 4-0 on the Czech Republic to take first place and earn an opportunity to advance with a draw on Tuesday.
“Our purpose can be the identical even when Spain hadn’t misplaced, we’ll attempt to win the match in Braga,” mentioned Portugal defender Diogo Dalot, who scored twice towards the Czech Republic. “It’s going to be a sophisticated match however we’ll do out greatest to make it to the subsequent spherical.”
Solely the group winners advance to the Last 4, which will probably be performed subsequent June. Portugal has 10 factors, two greater than Spain. Switzerland has six factors, two greater than the Czech Republic forward of their match in Switzerland to attempt to keep away from relegation.
Spain is in search of its second consecutive look within the Last 4 after ending runner-up to France final yr. At the moment, it additionally wanted a last-day victory to advance to the Last 4, and it did it by stunning Germany 6-0 at house.
Luis Enrique mentioned he didn’t anticipate many adjustments within the squad for the match towards Portugal regardless of the loss on Saturday, although he admitted the group had to enhance its defending of set items, which is how Switzerland scored each of its targets.
Portugal, the winner of the inaugural version of the Nations League in 2019, may even see the return of ahead João Félix, who was not out there for the match towards the Czech Republic due to an damage. He rejoined his teammates in coaching on Sunday.