Iberian Summit in Nations League: Im Estadio Municipal de Braga Portugal welcomes the troubled Spaniards to a real final today (8.45 p.m., live ticker at sportschau.de).
The starting position is clear: Portugal lead the table with ten points before this last game of Nations League A, Group 2, followed by the Spaniards two points behind. Luis Enrique’s team is therefore under pressure to win if they want to reach the Final Four tournament next year, but there is currently little to be said for that.
Harsh criticism from the Spanish press
Spain suffered a historic defeat against Switzerland last Saturday (September 24th, 2022) (1:2), never before had the Swiss taken a three-pointer away from Spain. Portugal, on the other hand, got a bloody nose in the person of superstar Cristiano Ronaldo, but otherwise also quite confidently the victory in the Czech Republic: The outstanding Diogo Dalot scored twice in the 4-0 win, Bruno Fernandes and Diogo Jota scored the other goals.
In Spain, as in Germany, England or France, there is growing concern about the right form for the World Cup in Qatar, which starts in less than two months. As usual, the press isn’t very squeamish about Enrique’s team.
“The World Cup starts in Braga”
“Mundo Deportivo” wrote after the bankruptcy against the Swiss, led by an outstanding Yann Sommer: “La roja never felt comfortable against a strong rival. Two set-piece goals from the Swiss – an issue that the Spanish team will have to deal with in view of the World Cup in Qatar.” Also the “mark” advises the coach: “Luis Enrique would do well to watch the game again. Spain were unrecognizable. Although the Reds confirmed their ability to possess the ball, they didn’t know what to do with it.”
For ‘AS’ the importance of the clash with Portugal is clear: “The World Cup starts in Braga. There the Spaniards can expect the decisive match in the Nations League, but above all an invaluable test to see where La Roja is with less than two months before the World Cup in Qatar.” “Sport” doesn’t sound very optimistic: “Spain have gone astray. In a tough game against Portugal, the side need to pull off a feat if they want to reach the UEFA Nations League Final Four.”
“Worse Than Sluggish” – Enrique is self-critical
His team is “sluggish” been, “no, worse than sluggish”said Luis Enrique after his Spaniards’ 2-1 draw against Switzerland. “We had the most inaccurate first half of my tenure as coach.” But Enrique also emphasized after his verbal scolding: “This defeat does not change the prospects for the World Cup.” Many of his compatriots, especially the newspaper journalists, apparently see things a little differently.