Spain take a 100% winning record up against Euro 2020 qualifying Group F rivals Romania on Thursday night. The match will be Roberto Moreno’s first official game as La Roja boss following the departure of Luis Enrique.
Despite Moreno now being officially in charge, little should change for the Spanish. La Roja have been brilliant in qualifying thus far claiming 12 points from 12 possible with wins over Norway, Malta, the Faroe Islands, and Sweden.
Romania will pose a difficult challenge to the Spanish. Manager Cosmin Contra has led Romania to third place in Group F with seven points from four matches. They are level with second place team Sweden, but sit third due to goal difference.
After a rocky start in which Romania lost to Sweden 2-1, they rebounded against the Faroe Islands winning 4-1. A draw against Norway followed before Romania claimed victory versus Malta, 4-0.
Contra’s team has won their easiest fixtures thus far winning against the Faroe Islands and Malta. When playing stronger competition in Group F, Romania have struggled to get results. Spain will pose the most difficult test for Contra’s side.
The good news for Romania heading into Thursday night is they will play at home in Bucharest. The support of home fans could buoy the side. However, Spain have rebounded from the side that crashed and burned at the World Cup 2018 and in UEFA Nations League play.
Moreno has called Arsenal’s Dani Ceballos into the squad after his strong start to the Premier League season. He joins Paco Alcacer from Borussia Dortmund and Paris Saint-Germain's Pablo Sarabia. There is no place in the team, however, for Santi Cazorla or Iago Aspas.
Meanwhile, Moreno would have called in the likes of Alvaro Morata, Marco Asensio, Inigo Martinez, and Isco; but all four players are injured.
Contra is dreaming of pulling off a shock result against the Spanish. He played for years in Spain and is familiar with the Spanish style of play.
The two teams first played each other in 1962. Since then, Romania and Spain have played 16 matches in all competitions. Each nation has won five matches while six games finished in draws. Interestingly, Spain have not beaten Romania in just over two decades.
¡Volamos alto con @Iberia! Todo un honor dar nombre a su nuevo avión 😊Ya tenemos todo el #TalentoABordo para volar a Bucarest. ¡A por la victoria! 💪🏻🇪🇸#UnidosPorUnRETO pic.twitter.com/o9hAxIdWOJ— Selección Española de Fútbol (@SeFutbol) September 4, 2019
¡Volamos alto con @Iberia! Todo un honor dar nombre a su nuevo avión 😊Ya tenemos todo el #TalentoABordo para volar a Bucarest. ¡A por la victoria! 💪🏻🇪🇸#UnidosPorUnRETO pic.twitter.com/o9hAxIdWOJ
Spain’s winless drought against Romania should come to an end on Thursday night in Bucharest. Despite Romania playing at home, they will continue to struggle against Group F’s stronger teams.
Moreno will pick up his first victory as official Spain manager. La Roja should collect their third clean sheet of Euro 2020 qualifying.