Ever since the core of the historic Spanish team from the beginning of the last decade retired, the Spaniards have been waiting for a new generation of players who could bring La Furia Roja to the path of success. Casillas, Ramos, Piqué, Alba, Xavi, Iniesta, Busquets, Alonso, Villa, Torres… All these names were part of the team that was the ruler of both the world and Europe simultaneously, winning two consecutive European Championships in 2008 and 2012 (the only national team in history that has managed to accomplish that) and the 2010 World Cup and represented a punitive expedition for the opponents. Now, there is no football fan in Spain who does not wonder whether a generation of at least a similar quality will ever appear again in the Iberian peninsula.The highschool sorrows of young Lamine YamalThroughout the past decade, the Spaniards had been trying to find a proper and decent replacement for that team, but everything they tried was in vain. Changing managers, making combinations of experienced players and youngsters, but the results are still missing. In the last ten years, La Furia’s made its greatest success in the UEFA Nations League (a first and a second place), which is still, frankly speaking, far from the quality, importance and heritage of a World Cup and EURO. Spain did reach the semifinals in the EURO 2020 – a little thanks to the luck of the draw – but all the other results were way beneath expectations.EURO 2024: Opening spectacle sees brutal Germany annihilate ScotlandToday’s squad is not formidable either. There’s great potential within the team, but various elements are still missing: experience, squad harmony, winning mentality, and even hunger for success. Of course, the team is filled with talent and quality, but there are no leaders Spain had in its golden era. There are experienced players such as Dani Carvajal, Jesús Navas and Nacho Fernández, while youngsters like Pedri, Lamine Yamal or Nico Williams are still wet behind the ears. Then again, top-notch players like Rodri or Álvaro Morata still haven’t established themselves as team leaders.##NAJAVA_MECA_8161503##The toughest group in the tournament doesn’t work in La Furia’s favour, either. The experienced Croats at the beginning, then the old acquaintances Italians and then, only in the final round, the underdog – Albania. However, Spain is unpredictable. They can win all three games but also get knocked out already in the group stage. All in all, even though the team is packed with a number of great players, it seems that Luis de la Fuente’s squad still lacks a player who would guide it to success.
