Just what record five-time Bangladesh Premier League winning Spanish coach Oscar Bruzon flicked before the Euro 2024 kick-off has found the right target after two rounds of play.
The dominant wins over Croatia and holders Italy suggested why the head coach of Bashundhara Kings expected Spain to lift the European title for a record-breaking fourth time.
Spain had to wait a long 44 years after winning their maiden European Championship trophy in 1964, the second edition of the competition, thanks to Vicente del Bosque’s stunning troops.
After two European titles in a row, Spain had seen the exit door after losing to Italy in the following two editions, first in the Round of 16, and then a penalty shootout loss in the semi-finals.
Bruzon’s country met the Italians again this time in the second group fixture Thursday.
Despite the narrow 1-0 margin win, Spain rattled the woodwork and penetrated the defence multiple times.
In the first match, Luka Modric’s Croatian side found it difficult to deal with new color of Spanish attack, conceding three goals in the opening half netted by a defender, a midfielder and a forward.
The goal against Croatia Dani Carvajal converted from a delightful cross of youngest ever player to make Euro debut, Lamine Yamal at 16, can be taken as the perfect example of how the new mixture of youth and experience worked on the continental mega football show.
With 21-year old Nico Williams on the left, Yamal looked more mature in the next encounter, causing Italy defence trouble through the right wing with confident feet that provides fuel to the hope Bruzon expressed just before the team’s first game.
“Spain will be hoping for a record-breaking fourth European Championship trophy,” the 47-year old tactician, who won 10 silverwares in five years at Kings including the latest treble, told Dhaka Tribune.
“Spain are the joint-most successful side (along with Germany) in European Championship history and after their semi-final exit in 2020, will be looking to go far in the tournament once more.
“’La Roja’ are consolidating a transition period where the youngsters that have played the last Euro and World Cup are now mature players.”
Securing the knockout berth with two comfortable wins running on young guns, Spain will conclude their Group B fixtures against Albania Monday.
Bruzon explained why the Spaniards would be difficult to beat in the ongoing tournament this time.
He said: “Spain are among favorites again to become the first side in the competition’s history to lift the famous trophy four times and with Rodri guiding them in midfield alongside up-and-coming talents such as Pedri Gonzalez, Nico and Yamal they will be tough to beat.”