Spain predicted lineup vs Georgia

The majority backed France, optimists fancied England, while Germany were touted by some to do damage on home soil. Picking Spain as your Euro 2024 winner was hardly the consensus.

However, following an imperious group stage, Luis de la Fuente’s side look like the team to beat in Germany this summer.

Spain breezed through a tough Group B. Croatia and Italy were cast aside with ease before the manager rung the changes and oversaw a 1-0 win over Albania on Matchday 3. Spain’s status as group winners was already secure by the time they faced Sylvinho’s plucky underdogs, but they had to wait until the very conclusion of the first round to know their round of 16 opponents.

The Spaniards grew familiar of Georgia during qualifying, but this group of players, while young, aren’t naive enough to believe that Willy Sagnol’s side will put to the sword on Sunday as they were in 2023. The Georgians are riding a formidable wave of momentum, and Spain will have to be at their very best to secure a quarter-final berth.

Here’s the starting XI De la Fuente could pick for Sunday’s round of 16 clash at Euro 2024.

GK: Unai Simon – David Raya performed well on his first appearance of the tournament against Albania, but the Arsenal man wouldn’t have done enough to usurp Simon.

RB: Dani Carvajal – Carvajal has played a lot of football over the past 12 months, and the respite he earned on Matchday 3 would’ve been greatly appreciated.

CB: Aymeric Laporte – Laporte entered the tournament as an injury concern, but has started Spain’s last two games. It seems as if he’s favoured over Nacho Fernandez and will continue in the team on Sunday.

CB: Robin Le Normand – The relatively unknown Le Normand is set to earn a move off the back of this tournament, with Atletico Madrid poised to swoop for the Real Sociedad defender.

LB: Marc Cucurella – The Chelsea man has enjoyed an excellent tournament thus far. He’s keeping Alejandro Grimaldo out of the team, although the Bayer Leverkusen star did get 90 minutes under his belt last time out.

CM: Rodri – Rodri has already served a one-game suspension for booking accumulation, and he’s not out of the woods yet with the slate being wiped clean after the quarter-finals. The Manchester City star has a key role to play in shunning Georgia in transition.

CM: Pedri – The Euro 2020 star is yet to fully ignite in Germany this summer, but the Barcelona midfielder has cemented his…