Today Spain closes the circle of one of the best generations in its history in lower categories with the final dreamed of: against Brazil in the Olympic Games. There is no better outcome for a group that in the last six years has won a European Under-19, a Under-21 and has secured an Olympic medal. It is the first time that these two teams meet in a Games.
Soccer, as usual, has added drama to this script that Luis de la Fuente’s men hope to end with a happy ending. Dani Ceballos has had to live that bitter part in this championship: He arrived at the best moment of his career, he gave a recital against Egypt in the debut but a terrifying tackle took him off the field at 40 minutes. He has tried everything to be against Brazil today, but his left ankle has not responded. To add fatality, today is your 25th birthday.
This circumstance has brought together even more a team that, during this journey, has overcome time and time again moments when everything seemed lost. They proved it in the quarterfinals against the Ivory Coast and also in the semifinals against Japan, with two agonizing victories in extra time. In the last of them the hero was Marco Asensio, who had been punished for substitution. The Balearic, who returns to eleven today, is Ceballos’s best friend in the dressing room and both always share a room in the concentrations. Not a Hollywood screenwriter would have written a more complete drama. Now all you have to do is fasten it with a gold-plated finish.
To achieve this, De la Fuente will do few tweaks. The doubt is again in the wings, where Vallejo starts with an advantage on the right and Cucurella on the left-handed side. The rest, the usual ones, with Oyarzabal back to the false nine to give entry to Asensio on the right wing. They are accompanied by Olmo and Pedri, who must take a step forward and lead Spain after the experience acquired in the European Championship. Back, they trust the solvency of the Simon-Eric-Pau trident, who have made an outstanding tournament. Today they will have the most difficult rival: Richarlison, the great star of this Canarinha (five goals in the Games). Finally, in the engine room, the realists Zubimendi and Mikel Merino repeat.
Ceballos and Asensio pose for AS.
Morenatti
Brazil
The Brazilians were the other big favorites behind Spain and defend the title won in Rio 2016. Jardine, the coach, has used the places of three over 24 to prop up the rear. He recruited goalkeeper Santos (31 years old) and two known to the Spanish public: captain Dani Alves (38) and Sevilla player Diego Carlos (28). In midfield and attack, the usual in Brazil: unleash talent with more verticality than possession.
Spain will need, this time yes, to play the round match that for the moment is resisting in Japan. Analyzing the history of this generation, he always suffered more against theoretically inferior rivals and exhibited himself against the best. They have been far from the version that was expected, but it has given them to reach a final in which if they reach the outstanding all the previous suffering will be forgotten …