Spain travel to face Croatia on Tuesday night, hoping a refreshed lineup will secure a second straight win and keep them atop their Nations League group.
Key takeaways
- Five changes: Coach Luis de la Fuente has altered five spots in the starting eleven for the match.
- Group leaders: A victory would give Spain a second consecutive win and maintain their lead in the group.
- Croatia’s recent form: The Balkan side come into the game after beating the Czech Republic, with goals from Luka Modrić and Marko Pašalić.
- New coaching era: Croatia are now guided by Slaven Bilić, who replaced Zlatko Dalić earlier this year.
Spain’s tactical shift
De la Fuente’s five adjustments reflect a desire to inject fresh energy while preserving the team’s core identity. The changes aim to balance attacking flair with defensive solidity, giving players like Pedri and Gavi clearer roles as the match approaches.
Croatia’s momentum under Bilić
Slaven Bilić’s first major test comes against a strong Spanish side. After a 2‑0 win over the Czech Republic, highlighted by Modrić’s experience and Pašalić’s finishing, Croatia hope to continue their upward trajectory and prove the new coaching direction is bearing fruit.
What’s at stake
A win for Spain would solidify their position at the top of the Nations League group, keeping the path to the next round clear. For Croatia, a positive result would reinforce confidence in Bilić’s leadership and keep their own qualification hopes alive.