“From the front page to eating all that shit in Spain” – Why Morata could be deleted because of the important Polish struggle

The Juventus striker’s finishing skills are under close scrutiny again after La Roja lost 0-0 to Sweden in the Euro 2020 opening match

While Sweden can take a point from Spain in the first round of games at Euro 2020, it can be considered the only shock result, but it was no surprise that Luis Enrique’s team shot empty in front of goal.

For months, yes, years, Spain’s critics have been pointing out the lack of a “killer” in the box, a player like Raul, Fernando Torres or David Villa. The latter two helped Spain dominate international football between 2008 and 2012, winning two European championships and one World Cup, but it’s been a barren time since then.

Diego Costa came and went, and Leeds United striker Rodrigo also played for a while, but no one convinced. Luis Enrique has refused to appoint Celta Vigo striker Iago Aspas and is instead relying on Alvaro Morata to take the lead.

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In the goalless draw with Sweden, Morata missed a clear chance and rolled far when he should have put Spain in the lead. After Morata had already been mocked by fans in the capital in the warm-up game against Portugal – also 0-0 – Morata was exposed to further contempt from fans in Seville.

“Alvaro played a very good game, with the exception that we all wanted us to take our chances,” said Luis Enrique.

“His team-mates also had their chances. But it is okay. I think he’s used to it [jeers] yes, but it’s not nice. It would be much nicer for everyone if he was supported. “

The problem for Morata is that he not only suffers from his performance against Sweden, but also from Spain’s decades of attacking problems. The same mistakes have caused La Roja to fall off the podium and the fans can feel them settle again.

“It’s a shame that you can eat all that shit in Spain with a few centimeters from the front page,” complained Morata in the run-up to the tournament and was back in the line of fire after the stalemate in Sweden. In the player ratings of the Madrid newspapers AS and Marca, he received the lowest grades.

Worst of all, Morata is not the type of gamer to take these things on his chin. Notoriously inconsistent, the Juventus forward rides waves of confidence before sinking to the seabed as the weather changes.

Spain’s fans have called for Villarreal striker Gerard Moreno to take Morata’s place against Poland in La Cartuja on Saturday. Only six percent of supporters who voted in a Marca poll wanted to see Morata alone, 72 percent were in favor of Gerard Moreno and 22 percent suggested playing together.

“I find it strange that the best Spanish goalscorer and one of the best goalscorers in Europe didn’t start this game,” said Bernd Schuster, former Barcelona and Real Madrid player, to Onda Cero after the draw against Sweden.

“If you have the top scorer and the game is goalless, then you have to use him. There are more options than Morata and especially in games as tight as this one. They can also play together because Gerard is a player who moves very well. “

Moreno scored 32 combined goals for Villarreal and Spain in all competitions last season, with only Lionel Messi scoring more in La Liga last season. The striker brought Villarreal to a famous Europa League triumph over Manchester United and his style of play matches Spain’s game.

However, Moreno works best with another club-level striker, either Paco Alcacer or Carlos Bacca. So if Luis Enrique chooses to play him it could be instead of Ferran Torres on the right rather than Morata. The Villarreal man doesn’t mind moving around in larger areas at times before drifting inward for the finishing touches.

He came on as a substitute for Sweden and had Spain’s best performance, with a header being fought off brilliantly by Robin Olsen. It was one of just five shots on goal by La Roja out of a total of 17.

On other days some of them might have gone in; Pablo Sarabia was slumbering by the back post for the last minute when Jordi Alba’s superb cross struck him. If Spain hold that volume of chances and increase their accuracy and composure, they can hit the net against Poland and Slovakia.

Luis Enrique believes it is important to keep Morata’s morale high and has defended him against his critics. He also notes that other players don’t go along with goals. It’s true; Spain’s midfield trio – no matter which combination you choose – are not good finishers.

Koke missed a good chance against Sweden while teenage Pedri has shown on several occasions that it is the only aspect of his game that he needs to work on. Thiago Alcantara, Rodri; no goalscorers either, without even mentioning Barcelona’s Sergio Busquets, who was back after Covid-19.

Luis Enrique could bring Marcos Llorente further forward; It was on the front line or in attacking midfield that he shone for Atletico Madrid. Llorente started as a right-back against Sweden and played a good performance, including a major intervention to beat the raging Alexander Isak, but Cesar Azpilicueta could fill in there if necessary.

Mikel Oyarzabal offers another offensive option from the bench and he was one of the players to score in the impressive 6-0 win over Germany in the Nations League last November, a night when everything came together for Spain. That stellar dream result helped Luis Enrique sweep the goal problem under the rug, but now it has surfaced again.

Between using the formally strong Moreno, repositioning Llorente and continuing to create openings, Spain should certainly be able to score a goal. But until then, the fans in Seville will cast covetous glances at Poland and Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski.

With him, Spain can even be considered the favorite for the tournament. But that’s pure fantasy, and for now the focus is on avoiding an embarrassingly early exit because, as Morata will testify, the Spanish press still has a lot more shit to serve those who disappoint.