UEFA Nations Cup: Serbia vs Spain , Preview and Team News

The UEFA Nations League is set to begin its fourth edition, with the current champions taking the field on Thursday. Spain will make their return to the pitch for the first time since their victory in the UEFA Euro 2024 tournament as they face off against Serbia at the Red Stadium.

Serbia earned promotion to UEFA Nations League A after their successful performance in League B, marking their second promotion to a higher league in the third edition. Meanwhile, the Eagles experienced difficulties during the UEFA Euro 2024, exiting the group stage after a winless campaign, including a 1-0 loss to England.

Regarding Spain, they have achieved notable success in the UEFA Nations League, having reached two finals in three editions. La Roja emerged as runners-up in the 2020/21 edition and secured the championship title in 2022/23, triumphing over Croatia in a penalty shootout after a goalless draw. Additionally, Luis de la Fuente’s team delivered an exceptional performance in 2024, culminating in their victory at the European Championships.

Previous Match Result 

The previous encounter involving Serbia and Spain resulted in a 2-0 victory for La Roja during an international friendly in May 2012. Ahead of their upcoming match, The Hard Tackle provides an in-depth analysis of this encounter.

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Match Preview: Serbia vs Spain

Serbia:- Serbia's squad for the upcoming fixture against Spain has seen some changes, with Captain Aleksandar Mitrovic being absent due to an injury. In the upcoming match, Predrag Rajkovic is expected to play in goal, and the team is set to line up in a 3-4-2-1 formation. The defensive unit will likely consist of Milos Veljkovic, Nikola Milenkovic, and Strahinja Pavlovic, with Kosta Nedeljkovic and Andrija Zivkovic manning the wing-back positions. In midfield, Sasa Lukic and Ivan Ilic are expected to hold the fort, while Luka Jovic is set to take the lead in the attacking line, supported by Lazar Samardzic and Stefan Mitrovic.

Spain:- In the absence of Alvaro Morata from the recent international fixtures, there will be added pressure on Nico Williams to deliver in the attacking third. The young Athletic Club forward attracted significant interest from top European clubs during the summer transfer window but ultimately remained loyal to Athletic Club. Now, he is looking to make an impact on the international stage and will be keen to showcase his skills on Thursday evening.

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