Spain’s Under-21 side take a significant step in their European Championship qualifying campaign on 25 September, travelling to Tampere to face Finland at the Tammelan Stadion. Kick-off is scheduled for 17:30, with the hosts beginning the evening in second place and aiming to cut Spain’s advantage at the top of the group.
Spain face a direct challenge for group control
This is not simply another qualifying fixture for Spain. Finland have the chance, in front of their own supporters, to pull closer to the section leaders and make the route to the next Under-21 European Championship considerably tighter.
Spain will look to Gonzalo as their leading attacking reference, supported by a midfield containing Marc Bernal and Fer López. David Gordo’s team is expected to line up as follows:
- Goalkeeper: Esquivel
- Defence: Espart, Jacobo Ramón, Jon Martín and Álex Valle
- Midfield: Chema Andrés, Marc Bernal and Fer López
- Attack: Iker Bravo, Gonzalo and Jesús Rodríguez
Finland are set to begin with Jantunen in goal, behind a back four of Ylitolva, Kangasniemi, Lötjönen and Galvez. Mentu and Siltanen are due to operate in midfield, with Ruoppi, Talvitie and Söderbäck providing support for Möller.
Finland’s threats and Spain’s selection picture
Söderbäck is viewed as one of Finland’s principal dangers, particularly because of his late arrivals into attacking areas and his eye for goal. Spain will also be wary of a home side with clear incentive to turn a group contest into a much closer race.
Espart is among the notable figures in the Spanish squad after an impressive emergence this season. Although naturally a right-back, he has shown he can perform on the left side of defence and in midfield. Gordo has drawn a comparison with Pedri when discussing the player’s qualities.
- Finland’s available options include Maukonen, Vaistö, Helén, Simojoki, Europaeus, Mero, Turkki, Körkkö and Pippola.
- Spain have González, Yarek, Mario Martín, Pablo García, Obrador, Virgili, Carlos Espí, Mendoza and Ángel Ortiz among their alternatives.
- Ángel Ortiz has moved into the Under-21 picture after Pedro Porro’s injury created an opening at right-back.
Club consequences during the international break
The squad call-ups carry consequences beyond Tampere. Tenerife-born centre-back Juanma Herzog has joined the Spain Under-21 group, leaving Las Palmas further stretched in defence. His international commitment means he will miss the club’s matches against Eibar and Valladolid.
Carlos Espí and Espart are the main new names in Gordo’s group. Espí has said that José Mourinho asks him to help Mbappé, while the squad’s changing personnel underlines how quickly this qualifying window can affect clubs as well as national teams.
For Spain, the task is to preserve their position at the summit. For Finland, it is an opportunity to reshape the group on a home European night.
