Euro 2024: Three BIG questions Spain will need to answer vs Croatia in their bid to win it all

Spain are about to open their Euro 2024 campaign in a much anticipated Group B clash in what is considered to be the Group of Death. 

Spain enter into the tournament not perhaps as one of the favourites but certainly one of the teams to look out for. They were on a tear in Euro 2020 and lost in the semi finals against eventual champions Italy on penalties. Their early exit in round of 16 of FIFA World Cup 2022 certainly stings the side and they will want to prove a lot of naysayers wrong.

Spain and Croatia last faced each other in the UEFA Nations League finals where they won on penalties. Their last Euros encounter was an instant classic in Euro 2020 when the two sides faced each other in round of 16 and Spain won 5-3 after extra time. 

As the La Rojas prepare to face Croatia at the Olympiastadion in Berlin on Sunday, June 15 here are the three biggest questions they need to answer if they want to make a deep run into the tournament.

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Is the team on board with Luis De La Fuente?

Unlike their past managers in Luis Enrique and Julen Lopetegui, their current head coach Luis De La Fuente is not considered to be a popular figure among the fans, media and players. 

De La Fuente as they say was never really supposed to stick around for long but his triumph in the UEFA Nations League meant that the Spaniard bought himself time and is now all set to lead his nation in a major tournament. 

As Euros begin, it certainly will be interesting to see whether the team and the nation completely buys into his ideology or will another tournament for the highly talented Spanish side unravel. 

Are the youngsters ready to take the charge?

The most exciting aspect of this Spain side is certainly the fact that they have got an exuberant talent of young footballers who will be key to their side's chances. 

Barcelona's star prodigy in Lamine Yamal is a name that stands out in attack and will be interesting to see how he fares for his nation in his first major tournament. 

Pedri, Fermin Lopez, and Nico Williams are some of the exciting youth prospects in the Spanish side and their performances are set to dictate how Spain fare in the tournament. 

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Where will the goals come from? 

And the biggest question that continues to dog Spain's footsteps in every major tournament is where will the goals come from. 

For all their tenacity in pressing and possession, Spain's Achilles heel with the current crop of players has been their inability to convert their chances into the final third. 

They only have two out and out centre forwards in the form of Joselu and Alvaro Morata. Both of whom can come in handy but are still not reliable to give goals on a consistent basis. 

As it stands once again, Spain's Euro hopes will live and die by their final product.