Spain Starting Lineup vs Germany: World Cup Starting 11 Announced
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Spain were one of the most fun teams to watch at Euro 2020, where they fell in penalties after a dead-even semifinal match against eventual champions Italy. This year, they’ll hope to build on that experience and get just one game further. Let’s take a look at the potential Spanish lineup we could see as they face Costa Rica on November 23 to kick off their World Cup tournament play.
Spain Starting 11 Vs. Germany
- GK- Unai Simón
- LB- Jordi Alba
- CB- Rodri
- CB- Aymeric Laporte
- RB- Dani Carvajal
- MF- Pedri
- MF- Sergio Busquets
- MF- Gavi
- ST- Dani Olmo
- LW- Marco Asensio
- RW- Ferran Torres
Manager Luis Enrique has made the bold, somewhat puzzling choice to leave out veteran centre-back Sergio Ramos, one of the best Spanish players of all time. This is made even more confusing by the fact that he’s included several other veterans who have possibly lost a step, such as Barcelona’s Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba. Is it punishment for leaving La Liga? Perhaps, but what we do know is that Spain will be missing one of their most important veteran presences, as one of the last remaining starters from that legendary 2008-2012 window. As always, Spain’s strength will be their midfield, where they pair youth with experience, and Barcelona with Barcelona, as they preserve the chemistry that youngsters Pedri and Gavi have been developing with the veteran Busquets during the club season.
Another Barca youngster you might expect to see in the lineup is Ansu Fati; he’d be my pick most likely, but he’s been benched for his club much of this season, and Enrique is also expected to use him off of the bench. He may get his moment though, because while there is certainly some talent up front, that area is surely Spain’s weakest link. The defense, without Ramos, is unsurprisingly a combo of La Liga talent, full of steady presences but lacking a real current superstar. This team is a decently talented one, but I’m not sure about the fit of all of the pieces; I’m not as sold on this lineup as some are.
Spain Starting Lineup History
Vs. Costa Rica
- GK- Unai Simón
- LB- Jordi Alba
- CB- Rodri
- CB- Aymeric Laporte
- RB- César Azpilicueta
- MF- Pedri
- MF- Sergio Busquets
- MF- Gavi
- LW- Dani Olmo
- ST- Marco Asensio
- RW- Ferran Torres
Spain Starting 11 FAQ
Who Is Spain’s Starting Goalkeeper?
This is quite the interesting question, as Manchester United veteran David de Gea was one of Enrique’s surprise omissions, despite pretty decent form for club over the past year or so. Most likely, it will be Unai Simón, although the talented David Raya is coming along and could potentially see minutes if Simón is not up to the task.
Who Is Spain’s Starting Striker?
Another very good question; this is certainly not a position of strength for Spain, and I’d be higher on it if Gerard Moreno was not another one of the bizarre exclusions from the squad. That being said, it’s the veteran Alvaro Morata who Spain will be relying on to make something out of all of their possession and put the ball in the back of the net.
Who Is Spain’s Best Player?
It’s really not a star-driven team; all-around solid play will be Spain’s hallmark if they are to succeed, but I’ll go with Pedri. He’s shown poise well beyond his years and was one of the brightest stars of Euro 2020. I’m expecting more greatness from him in Qatar.
