Spain’s players will return to their clubs after Sunday’s meeting with Croatia, bringing an end to a 15-day international break marked by wins, selection changes and fitness concerns for several members of Luis de la Fuente’s squad.
Spain close a long international window
The Croatia fixture is Spain’s final assignment of the current break. De la Fuente’s side lead Group C of the Nations League and are close to reaching the quarter-finals, although two group matches remain and will decide the final picture.
The extended spell away from club football has brought heavy rotation within the Spanish group, while some of those originally called up have also suffered physical problems. For clubs preparing to resume their domestic and European schedules, the immediate concern will be the condition in which their internationals return.
November brings two decisive matches
- Spain will regroup on Monday 9 November for a much shorter seven-day international window.
- On Thursday 12 November, at 20:45, they travel to the Czech Republic. Spain beat the Czechs 3-1 in Seville during this break, but the visitors caused De la Fuente’s team significant difficulties.
- Three days later, on Sunday 15 November at 20:45, England visit Atlético de Madrid’s Metropolitano Stadium.
- England arrive seeking a response after Spain’s 3-2 victory at Wembley, making the Madrid contest the toughest of Spain’s remaining group fixtures.
- Once the England match is over, the squad will disperse that same Sunday, allowing players to return to their clubs ahead of the next league round.
The November programme leaves little room for recovery: two high-level Nations League matches will be completed within six days, before Europe’s leading clubs reclaim their players for another demanding club calendar.
