Bola.net – The Spanish national team featured a composition of players that had almost never been seen before when playing against the Serbian national team. There is not a single <a href="https://www.archysport.com/2022/01/see-live-match-barcelona-vs-real-madrid-free-online-without-ads-spanish-super-cup-spanish-league/" title="See LIVE match Barcelona vs Real Madrid, free, online, without ads, Spanish Super Cup | Spanish League”>Barcelona, Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid player in their starting XI.
Spain was challenged by Serbia at the Estadio Nuevo Arcangel on matchday 4 of the UEFA Nations League A 2024/2025 Group 4, Wednesday (16/10/2024). The UNL match between Spain vs Serbia ended with a score of 3-0.
Spain’s goals were scored by Aymeric Laporte in the 5th minute, Alvaro Morata in the 65th minute and Alex Baena in the 77th minute.
In the 53rd minute, when the score was still 1-0, Spain had a golden opportunity from the penalty spot. However, Morata’s penalty went over the bar.
In this victory which ensured their progress to the quarter-finals, the Spanish starting XI fielded by coach Luis de la Fuente attracted quite a lot of attention. The reason is, he didn’t play any of the Barcelona, Real Madrid and Atletico players from the early minutes.
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History
A starting eleven for HISTORY: Spain is going to play a match without a single starting player from Real Madrid, Barcelona and Atlético de Madrid for the FOURTH time in its 104-year history.
The only three precedents are the three games that La Roja played in the 1928 Olympics (only… pic.twitter.com/AjZycrkk9g
— MisterChip (Alexis) (@2010MisterChip) October 15, 2024
Throughout their 104 year history, this is the 4th time the Spanish national team has competed with a starting XI that does not contain any players from Real Madrid, Barcelona and Atletico.
The previous three matches were the three matches that La Roja played at the 1928 Olympics. At that time, only players from Basque clubs participated.
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The Spanish National Team is not just these 3 clubs
Euro 2024: Spain players Nico Williams and Mikel Oyarzabal (right) celebrate against England in the final (c) AP Photo/Manu Fernandez
The decision reflects the depth of talent possessed by coach Luis de la Fuente, who sees this opportunity as proof that Spanish football does not just depend on players from the big clubs.
“We must continue to be a solid team,” said de la Fuente in his press conference.
“I really enjoy situations like this because it gives a lot of players the opportunity to introduce themselves. Those players may not get recognition from the media, but we know they are competent, and we know their quality. There are many great players in Spain, and they are not always come from big names.”
This bold move shows that de la Fuente has full confidence in players outside the three La Liga giants. He proved that the quality of Spanish football is widespread and not just limited to big clubs.
Source: MisterChip, Football Espana
