Spain vs England: UEFA Euro 2024 final tactical preview

New Delhi: The grandest stage of UEFA Euro 2024 is here as two of the best nations form this Euro campaign, Spain and England go head to head in the finals to win the title. Both the teams have had their own approaches and they have played a completely different brand of football. Luis de la Fuente has worked miracles for the Spanish side as they will be playing their first major international final since the 2012 Euro triumph. In his very first major tournament with Spain, it has been a monumental achievement for the Spaniard who has proved to be spot on with his tactics.

On the other hand, Gareth Southgate’s tactics despite being criticised throughout the campaign, have worked quite well for the team. While his tactics may not be the most polished or amongst the elite ones but they have worked out wonderfully for the team as England will be playing their second consecutive Euro final under Southgate. The way he has revolutionalised England’s standing in major international tournaments, often goes unnoticed due to his style of play which many consider “boring”. The results have pretty much backed the fact up that England were able to reach this far because of his involvement and his tactics .

However, as the two coaches face each other in the grandest stage of the biggest European international tournament, both will be looking to make big plans ahead of the clash. Both the managers are gifted with few of the most talented football players in the world and they will be looking to utilise them well when it matters the most.

The tactics behind La Roja’s unbeaten run

Luis de la Fuente has created a buzz ever since the campaign started as in their opening game against Croatia, Spain managed to score thrice to win their first group stage match 3-0. Many were doubting that Spain might not be the favourites to win the title due to the fact that they have a new coach but it was a statement win for the Spanish side. As the group stage matches progressed, Spain managed to win their remaining games against Albania and Italy and top the group. This also meant that the De la Fuente’s side were headed into the knockout stages with a hundred percent win record in the campaign.

De la Fuente’s tactics have looked pretty much the same throughout the campaign. His tactics eventually led the Spanish team keeping their hundred percent record intact even during the knockout stage. After beating Georgia, the hosts Germany and France, they were able to reach the finals. All this while, De la Fuente has used the 4-2-3-1 formation where he has also rotated the players. This tactic has given the Spanish players the freedom to move forward and cause problems for the opposition.

Besides, the protection has been there as the initial position of the players give De la Fuente’s side an advantage. The deep midfield role conducted by Rodri, makes the opposition attacker’s life difficult and the defence has looked solid too. Their attackers, who have impressed the most are also playing free flowing football and they have looked like the most threatening side in this Euro campaign. The reason behind this; both the wingers have been heavily involved in any sort of attacking play where they are able to create spaces to run into. Their positioning has been spot on and above all, they are able to create open spaces for other players involved in the attack.

For example, Dani Olmo’s influence was clearly visible on the pitch when he produced two back to back good performances. Against Germany he was getting the freedom to run into free spaces to get into threatening positions while the wingers attracted the opposition defenders. His first goal was class as it was Yamal yet again who was able to get the attention of the German defenders, who simply rolled the ball into Olmo’s path as he was able to strike a low shot to score.

Southgate’s tactics that led England to a consecutive final

England make it through to their second consecutive Euro final under Gareth Southgate, whose tactis have looked no where close to the elite tacticians, but miraculously worked out for the Three Lions twice in a row. While his tactics might not be the most pleasing to the eye, they have certainly worked out for Southgate’s side. However, their players have not shown enough enough urgency on the pitch which was clearly evident on the pitch during the group stage matches. Southgate has mainly switched between a 4-2-3-1 and 3-4-2-1 formations where he has kept the same approach of sitting back deep and maintain possession.

During the group stages, Southgate mainly stuck with the 4-2-3-1 formation where he focused on retaining the ball and play as deep as possible into their own half, creating no real threats for the opposition whatsoever. However, despite being exposed to lack of attacking play not showing enough urgency to go forward, their defensive play has looked spot on. During the group stages, except for the first game against Serbia where they won the match 1-0 thanks to a goal from Jude Bellingham, they only managed to fraw their last two games to top the group and make it through to the knockout stages.

The knockout stages saw England follow 3-4-2-1 formation in two of the three games. England certainly lacked the inventiveness and the intent of going forward but somehow they managed to pull off the victories against Slovakia in round of 16, Switzerland in Quarters and the Netherlands in the semi finals where Southgate utilised both the formations. His game style looked rather repititive where his defensive line looked solid all along sitting back either with an intention of protecting a lead or not letting the opposing side score throughout the campaign.

Will it come home or will La Roja conquer Europe again

The fact that these two teams have much in common when it comes to the formations, but their approach has been completely different throughout the campaign. The Spanish team has looked much more comfotable going forward in each of their games. Their biggest factor this season has been their attack minded approach where most of their starters have contributed in their attacking display. However, De la Fuente will will be looking to play the same formation of 4-3-2-1 and tactically there won’t be much changes in the lineup as the team would look to produce a more attacking display against England.

One major factor that besides their young wingers taking up the charge, is their midfield where Rodri has looked solid as always, while Fabian Ruiz and Dani Olmo have turned out to be their unexpected heroes of this campaign. Ruiz has been a menace in the opposition box as he already has four goal contributions from a deep lying midfield role, where De la Fuente has given him the freedom to go upfront to take part in the attack. Dani Olmo, without a doubt has been the player with Spain’s best attacking output with five goal contributions and turning up in big games.

On the other hand, Gareth Southgate wouldn’t want to change his tactics either, since he is getting the results. In the last two games, he has looked to play a defensive backline of three. Considering the amount of threat that the English defence will be facing from the flanks, it is likely that Southgate would stick with a backline of three, like he did in the previous two knockout games. A 3-4-2-1 formation looks like the most likely formation where he will have the extra protection against Spain’s pacy wingers, Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams.

However, the big question that arises here is who is going to start as a left back for Southgate’s side in case he decides to play a backline of four. Despite the experience factor, Luke Shaw hasn’t quite made an impression this campaign after he was sidelined by injury for the initial stages of the campaign. Besides, it is questionable if the 29-year-old would be abe to match the pace of Nico Williams, who has been in a red hot form throughout the campaign.

The only other option Southgate is left with is Kieran Trippier, who has played the left back role this campaign. However, it might be the right option to go with Trippier as Southgate shall stick to what they have been doing all season, since it is getting him the results. It will be an interesting tactical battle where both the coaches will be looking to put up their best possible ideas. Besides, the best tactician might get the edge as the stakes are high and both the teams look hungry to lift the 2024 Euro title.

 As England and Spain head into the finals of UEFA Euro 2024, both the teams will be looking to put up their best performance to lift the title. However, their coaches will be playing a major role in this exciting clash as we take a look at the tactical battle between Gareth Southgate and Luis de la Fuente.  Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today