A 'sleepy' Spain could not make a difference against Serbia in its debut in the Nations League

Spain returned to the ring 53 days after winning Euro 2024, the fourth in its history, in Germany, with the aim of defending the title of the Nations League, which is starting its fourth edition. Luis de la Fuente's team visited the Serbian team in Belgrade to play the first day of the European national team tournament, although they could not break down the 'wall' of the Águilas Blancas and had to settle for a goalless draw.

The Riojan coach put the base of the champion team on the field on German soil, with some occasional absences. Álvaro Morata and Rodri Hernández were not available due to suspension, being replaced by Ayoze Pérez and Martín Zubimendi, respectively, while David Raya covered Unai Simón's absence due to injury. The rest of the eleven was made up of the 8 Spaniards who started against England. Among them, Lamine Yamal, whose participation was in doubt due to the discomfort suffered in the last league match against Valladolid.

The ball started rolling at the Rajko Mitic Stadium at 20:45 and the match was even from the first minute. The plan of Dragan Stojković's team was clear: to stay locked in their own half and look to punish on the counterattack. La Roja, for their part, controlled the tempo of the match and took control of the ball, although they were unable to generate too much danger. The vast majority of chances came through shots outside the area, through the boots of Lamine, Nico Williams, Fabián Ruíz and Ayoze.

However, it was the Serbian squad that had the clearest chance of the first 45 minutes. The former Real Madrid striker received the ball completely alone inside the area, from the penalty spot, but his shot, with everything in his favour to make it 1-0, went too far and could not find the goal of a completely defeated David Raya. After this, both teams were barely able to make up for it and went into the break with the initial score intact.

A sleepy second half

After returning from the changing rooms, Luis de la Fuente's team were determined to look for the goal that would give them the advantage in the result, and they were close to getting it just one minute after the restart. In the 46th minute, Fabián Ruíz entered the area and sent a back pass towards Lamine Yamal, although it was intercepted by Birmancevic when the FC Barcelona winger was preparing to finish from point-blank range.

The minutes passed and both teams maintained the trend of the first half. Serbia held their own and defended themselves in their own half against the attacks of a Roja that could not find a way to break down the rival goal. In the 70th minute, Alejandro Grimaldo took a free kick that Rajkovic managed to repel, with the rebound being caught by Lamine whose shot went just wide of the far post. Little more in a very weak match for a Spain that will have to wait until next Sunday to try to get its first three points in the competition.