Spain faces a resilient Denmark at the Parken Stadium in Copenhagen, aiming for a point that will secure the top spot in their Nations League group.
MADRID, Nov 14. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The Spanish national team takes on Denmark this Friday at the Parken Stadium in Copenhagen (20:45) during the fifth matchday of the Nations League. The team, led by Luis de la Fuente, arrives with a ticket to the quarter-finals in hand and the prospect of clinching first place in the group if they manage to earn a point.
The reigning European and Nations League champions return to the pitch in a venue where the ‘Tiki-Taka’ style was conceived back in 2007, when they gambled their qualification for Euro 2008. Under Luis Aragonés, the ‘Roja’, despite several absences, delivered a memorable performance where Raúl Tamudo, Sergio Ramos, and Albert Riera scored in a 1-3 victory. It was here that players like Sergio Ramos, Xavi Hernández, Andrés Iniesta, and a young Cesc Fàbregas showcased their dominance in European football.
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Now, under the guidance of Luis de la Fuente, Spain visits Denmark with the intention of maintaining the euphoria established within the squad since their continental triumph last summer. The challenge for the continental champions is to secure the top spot in Group 4 of League A in the Nations League, an outcome that would allow them to be seeded in the quarter-final draw, as well as enabling them to play the return leg of that tie at home.
To achieve this, Spain, currently on a 14-match unbeaten streak, needs to secure points at the Parken Stadium against a Danish team they narrowly defeated in October in Murcia, thanks to a late goal from Martín Zubimendi. Historically, Spain has a positive record against Denmark, having won 17 of the 19 encounters, with the Danes managing only two wins and one draw in the last eight matches. In fact, Spain has emerged victorious in the last five clashes, a streak they aim to extend against a Danish side that has not lost at home since June 2022 (0-1 to Croatia).
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For this match, Spain will need to reaffirm the quality of a squad that continues to contend with significant absences across all positions: Unai Simón in goal, Dani Carvajal and Robin Le Normand in defense, Rodri Hernández in midfield, and Lamine Yamal in attack. The first four were already absent during the last call-up, where Luis de la Fuente’s men passed the test with victories over Denmark (1-0) and Serbia (3-0), the latter without the young Barcelona winger.
In those matches, players like David Raya, Pedro Porro, and Martín Zubimendi stepped up. All three are poised to continue earning the coach’s trust to retain their starting positions. Arsenal’s Raya has consistently demonstrated he is fit for the national team’s goals, positioning him as competition for Unai Simón upon his return from injury.
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Zubimendi, solidified in his role as a defensive pivot, is seen as the perfect replacement for Ballon d’Or winner Rodri Hernández, and all indications suggest he will again be the anchor for the ‘Roja’ despite the emergence of Marc Casadó, one of the notable new faces. The replacement for Carvajal had been a concern, but Pedro Porro quelled the doubts with two impressive outings in Murcia and Córdoba, suggesting he will feature again in Copenhagen, where Aymeric Laporte seeks a partner between Daniel Vivian and Pau Cubarsí.
In midfield, Fabián Ruiz’s physical condition remains a question mark after he missed Thursday’s training due to a stomach issue, leading Mikel Merino to emerge as Zubimendi’s likely partner.
Up front, the return of Nico Williams, absent in October, will reinstate his position to add depth against a Danish defense that has kept clean sheets at home in this Nations League. With Yamal unavailable, De la Fuente must consider a reshuffle, potentially placing Williams on the right and Mikel Oyarzabal on the left, with Álvaro Morata leading the line, though Dani Olmo also offers an option to play wide, facilitating Pedri González as a playmaker.
All of this is in preparation for a Denmark side that occupies second place in the group with seven points. Of these, six were secured at home against Serbia and Switzerland, underscoring their strength at home.
The Danish team previously posed challenges for the European champions and will aim to replicate that to secure their spot in the quarter-finals, contingent on bettering Serbia’s outcome against Switzerland. Their defensive solidity, led by Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, the creativity of Christian Eriksen, the flair of Patrick Dorgu, and the clinical finishing of Rasmus Hojlund will be pivotal in their strategy.
DENMARK: Schmeichel; Bah, Kristensen, Vestergaard, Nelsson, Dorgu; Hojbjerg, Eriksen; Isaksen, Hojlund, and Gronbaek.
SPAIN: Stripe; Pedro Porro, Vivian, Laporte, Cucurella; Zubimendi, Merino; Williams, Pedri, Oyarzabal; and Morata.
REFEREE: Rade Obrenovic (SLO).
STADIUM: Parken Stadium (Copenhagen).
KICK-OFF: 20:45/La1.
