Sweden 1-1 Spain: 5 Talking Points and Tactical Analysis | European Qualifiers 2019/20

#3 Spain’s front two fail to sparkle

Gerard Moreno

For the trip to Stockholm, Robert Moreno preferred the young duo of Gerard Moreno and Mikel Oyarzabal. Though the pair has been in good form in the La Liga, both failed to leave a substantial imprint on the game, meaning that Spain often struggle to scythe through the hosts’ rear-guard.

On a few occasions, Oyarzabal found himself in promising positions. However, he wasn’t composed enough, thereby contriving to allow those opportunities to slip from his grasp. Additionally, he also got in Thiago’s way when the midfielder looked destined to make the net bulge.

More worryingly though, Oyarzabal failed to provide the required thrust to enable Spain to create space in the offensive third.

As for Moreno, the debutant fared a tad better than his strike partner but his performance too left a lot to be desired. Though his off-the-ball running opened up a few more avenues, his finishing let him down as he failed to hit the target when accorded presentable chances.

In the second half, the striker nodded wide after Dani Ceballos had set him up with a delicious cross from the right flank.

However, encouragingly for Spain, the duo is quite young and boasts the necessary time to iron out its flaws and adapt itself to the Spanish system. And though they might still go on to enjoy a brilliant career in national colours, one reckons they might not want to use the game against Sweden as a point of reference.