Spain will be without their two best players in the form of injured Alexia Putellas and Jennifer Hermoso. The hopes of the Iberians to win the title have dropped considerably. Football depression broke out in the country before the team’s opening game against Finland today (July 8th, 2022, 6 p.m.).
When Spain’s national coach Jorge Vilda was asked by the Spanish radio station Onda Cero on Wednesday (July 6th, 2022) to talk about the prospects of Spanish women’s football in the upcoming European Championship, the 41-year-old was more hesitant than saying anything meaningful could. “I am stunned and shocked after such a severe setback,” said Vilda.
Shock in the Spanish camp
What the experienced coach, who has been on the sidelines for Spain’s soccer women since 2015, said: The serious injury to playmaker and leader Alexia Putellas, who tore a cruciate ligament shortly before the tournament started, caused a real shock in the Spanish camp. Photos showed the 28-year-old limping on crutches and leaving the EM quarters with tears in her eyes.
The injury happened shortly before the end of training during a casual game. Putellas wanted to pass the ball with his right hand and suddenly felt a “crack” on his left leg. Vilda struggled with fate: “It’s just unfair that things like this happen.” And he called on his team to react defiantly: “We have to pull ourselves together, be strong and march forward.”
“Drama Alexia” and “Broken Dream”
Only: In the Spanish media, the euphoria that could be felt before the tournament gave way to real depression. “Drama Alexia!” was the headline in the specialist newspaper “Sport” about the star from FC Barcelona. The rival newspaper “AS” spoke of a “broken dream”. Well, that was the unanimous tenor, the chances of winning the first European Championship title had dropped considerably.
Especially since the Spaniards not only have to do without their “queen”. Before the tournament, the waiver of Jennifer Hermoso was already manageable. Three weeks before the start of the tournament, the 32-year-old retired with a serious inner ligament injury. With 45 goals in 91 games, Hermoso is Spain’s all-time leading scorer and finished second to Putellas in the Ballon d’Or last year.
21-year-old nominated
Vilda nominated 21-year-old Amaiur Sarriegi from Real Sociedad San Sebastián to replace Putellas, who was crowned FIFA World Player of the Year in January after clinching a Champions League, league and cup treble with Barça last year. Sarriegi can also show qualities. She scored 12 goals in 12 games for Spain’s national team, making her goal tally even better.
Whether the Iberians will play a role in the fight for the title without their real top stars seems at least questionable. The Spaniards are playing their first game against Finland in Milton Keynes today (08/07/2022). On July 12th they meet the DFB women.