MADRID, November 10 (Xinhua) – Spain face the first of two important World Cup qualifiers when they play away against Greece on Thursday night.
The Spaniards enter Thursday’s match two points behind Group B leaders Sweden with the knowledge that they will qualify directly for Qatar 2022 if they beat the Greeks and then win at home over Sweden on Sunday. But they are also aware that any setbacks will leave them ahead of a play-off to secure their ticket to the World Cup play-offs.
With Sweden expected to win away against Georgia in a match played at the same time, the Spaniards must improve their draw 1-1 at home against Greece from March, but coach Luis Enrique lacks several key players for a draw.
Barcelona duo Ansu Fati and Eric Garcia both withdrew from their squad after suffering muscle injuries last weekend and were replaced by Raul de Tomas and Diego Llorente, while Celta Vigo’s Brais Mendez has also been called up after Villarreal’s Yeremy Pino was forced out.
At the same time, Mikel Oyarzabal has still not recovered from a muscle injury, nor do Manuel Llorente and Manchester City’s Ferran Torres are still away with an injury he suffered during his recent international break.
On the plus side, Dani Olmo is available after missing the semi-finals and final of the UEFA Nations League in October, while striker Alvaro Morata and right-back Dani Carvajal are also returning to add experience to a squad where Brahim Diaz (on loan with AC Milan from Real Madrid) gets his first senior call.
Enrique has on several occasions shown that he is willing to trust Spain’s young players and after his impressive debut in the Nations League, he can give Barcelona’s youngster Gavi a place in his midfield.
In its first meeting with Greece, Spain paid the price for their inability to take their chances. Against a rival who probably looks to sit back and play during the break, it is important that Spain’s forwards this time are at their best, otherwise their record of reaching the last eleven World Cups would be in danger.
Source: sn.dk