According to Spanish newspaper AS, Olmo’s impressive performance in Spain’s game against Georgia has sparked a debate over whether he should replace Pedri in the match against Germany.
During this training camp, everything has been relatively calm within the Spanish team, apart from Laporte’s injury, which was a focal point for a while. However, Laporte’s injury has now fully recovered. Nevertheless, Olmo’s standout performance against Georgia, coupled with Pedri’s subpar form, presents head coach Luis de la Fuente with a new tactical dilemma: should he adjust the starting lineup?
Following the game against Georgia, media outlets have been discussing whether Olmo should be included in the starting XI. Originally, Olmo was considered a regular starter, but his pre-camp preparation was affected by an injury at the end of the season. Meanwhile, Pedri has dedicated significant effort to ensuring he arrives at the training camp in peak condition, influencing de la Fuente’s initial plans. Although Pedri excelled against Croatia and Italy, his performance against Georgia was underwhelming, with a lack of rhythm in the game, ultimately leading to his substitution.
Now, de la Fuente’s tactical deployment against Germany is crucial. Olmo excels in the attacking midfielder role, but his versatility extends to playing as a false 9. He famously shone in this position in the 2021 European Championship semi-final against Italy. However, employing this tactic would potentially relegate Morata to the bench, despite his suitability for direct confrontation with strong defenders, a quality particularly relevant against Germany’s Rüdiger.
It’s worth noting that Morata also came on as a substitute in the World Cup match against Germany in Qatar, scoring a crucial goal in the second half. But if Olmo plays as the false 9, de la Fuente might maintain the midfield trio of Pedri, Rodrigo, and Fabián, or potentially introduce Merino to bolster the midfield’s strength.
De la Fuente must also consider Pedri’s tactical value as a substitute. Although Olmo is more explosive going forward, Pedri has proven at Barcelona that he can be just as effective coming off the bench. Regardless, this discussion surrounding midfield personnel has undoubtedly injected fresh vitality into the Spanish team’s training camp in Donaueschingen. The tranquil atmosphere of the training base contrasts sharply with the energy and confidence of this young team, who are brimming with optimism as they anticipate a successful journey in the upcoming European Championship.
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