When is it? How can you watch it? What are the possible line-ups?
Albania and Spain meet in their Third Group A match at UEFA EURO 2024.
Albania and Spain at a glance
When: Tuesday 25 June (03:00 GMT+8 kick-off)
Where: Düsseldorf Arena
What: UEFA EURO 2024 Group B Matchday 3
What do you need to know?
Spain have cemented their place among the EURO 2024 favourites after booking their round of 16 spot as Group B winners with a game to spare. Impressive victories over Croatia and Italy did the job, affording Luis de la Fuente the chance to blood a few fringe players for this fixture, not least since Rodri is suspended.
That does not make the task any easier for Albania – Spain’s quality runs deep. Yet Sylvinho’s side have given considerable cause for optimism about a positive result in Düsseldorf. With Inter midfielder Kristjan Asllani catching the eye, they got off to a dream start against Italy before slipping to a narrow defeat, then earned a late draw with Croatia to keep their hopes alive.
Possible line-ups
Albania: Strakosha; Balliu, Ismajli, Gjimshiti, Mitaj; Ramadani, Abrashi, Asllani, Bajrami, Laci; Broja
Suspended: Daku
Misses next match if booked: Broja, Gjasula, Hoxha, Hysaj
Spain: Raya; Navas, Vivian, Laporte, Grimaldo; Merino, Zubimendi, Olmo; Torres, Joselu, Oyarzabal
Suspended: Rodri
Misses next match if booked: Carvajal, Le Normand
Form guide
Albania:
Form (all competitions, most recent first): DLWWLL
Spain:
Form (all competitions, most recent first): WWWWDL
Expert predictions
Egi Duro, Albania reporter
A place in the knockout phase is still a possibility for Albania – just reward for a team that scored the fastest goal in EURO history against Italy then earned a heroic 2-2 draw against Croatia. Spain are already sure of top spot in the group, and are likely to rotate their squad, but Albania know they will not see much of the ball. However, they will aim to be resolute in defence, with Nedim Bajrami helping them to hit hard on the break. Coach Sylvinho remains optimistic. They are underdogs, but they do not lack bite.
Graham Hunter, Spain reporter
There are many reasons why Spain will rotate their XI. The most important one is their current style – much more focused on relentless pressing than the passing and possession style which won them EURO 2012, and this invariably takes a physical toll on players. At the end of a demanding club season, and with Group B already won, De la Fuente will look to share the burden and test some of his other options. The suspended Rodri is the only certain absentee, but anyone who thinks Spain will take Albania lightly is way out of touch. They know this will be tough and will prepare accordingly.
What the coaches say
Sylvinho, Albania coach: “We’ve seen incredible development in the players. There are 3 million Albanians in Albania and more than 9 or 10 million around the world. There was a generation that never saw their team in a European Championship. We’re all doing a really good job. We’re alive, proud and ambitious. Spain are strong, but we’re going to go for it in the 90 minutes. We’d be delighted to play in the last 16, but we have to produce our best performance.”
Luis de la Fuente, Spain coach: “Albania have fantastic fans and have already sprung a surprise here. We know it will be really tough tomorrow. We’ll make the changes we feel are right. We have complete confidence in our 26 players here. It’s not that I don’t make mistakes. Everyone has a chance to play here at a high level, so I’m very calm about that.”