European Football Championship - Spain without Carvajal and Le Normand in the European Championship semi-finals
Spanish Football National Team coach Luis de la Fuente may have to miss out on Daniel Carvajal and Robin Le Normand, in addition to the injured Pedri, in the EURO semi-final against France.
"We're staying optimistic about Pedri," said the 63-year-old coach after the 2:1 victory against Germany in Stuttgart. He trusts his squad and sees no problem for the semi-final match on Tuesday in Munich: "Everyone here is ready to play at a very high level."
Real Madrid's outside defender Carvajal received a yellow-red card, Real Sociedad San Sebastián's interior defender Le Normand got his second warning. Pedri was already substituted out in the 8th minute due to a foul by Toni Kroos from FC Barcelona. According to the league's statement, he suffered a knee contusion.
Overpowering Olmo
The substitute Dani Olmo from RB Leipzig scored the leading goal for the Spaniards (51st minute) and set up the 2:1 for the Furia Roja through Mikel Merino just before the end of extra time. Olmo was also named the best player of the match.
"It was an amazing game, a very complicated, a very heavy game," said the 26-year-old forward. "To beat Germany, we had to put on a fantastic performance." He was impressed by his team's attitude over 120 minutes: "I believe that's the way to go. We have to keep going."
De la Fuente repeated at the press conference several times how proud he was of his team. "I have definitely experienced a historic moment today. I believe this is the first time we have won five games in a row and defeated a home team at a tournament." He is "completely convinced" that he can go very far with the team. The Spaniards can become European champions for the fourth time and surpass the German team, which also has three titles.
- Despite potential absences of Daniel Carvajal, Robin Le Normand, and Pedri due to injuries and disciplinary actions, Spain's national soccer team remains hopeful for their EURO semi-final against Germany in Munich.
- Despite the 63-year-old coach Luis de la Fuente expressing optimism, Real Madrid's Carvajal received a yellow-red card and will miss part of the semi-finals due to disciplinary actions.
- Real Sociedad San Sebastián's Le Normand also received a second yellow card, ruling him out of the European Football Championship's upcoming matches.
- Germany, currently based in Baden-Württemberg, faced Spain's national team in Stuttgart, with Spain securing a 2:1 victory in the quarter-finals.
- Dani Olmo, a substitute from RB Leipzig, proved instrumental in Spain's victory, scoring the leading goal (51st minute) and setting up Mikel Merino for the second goal as the match moved into extra time.
- With strong performances in the EURO, Olmo was named the best player of the match, leading the Spanish team closer to the title.
- To win against strong opponents like Germany, Luis de la Fuente believes Spain's national team needs to deliver consistent and fantastic performances, just as they did in Stuttgart.
- With key players uncertain for the EURO semi-finals against France, Luis de la Fuente and the Spanish soccer team will have to rely on their depth and determination to bring home the European Championship title, matching or surpassing Germany's three titles in the history of the tournament.
