How Spain and France could line up in Nations League final

12:48pm on Saturday 9th October 2021
By Martin Macdonald

Spain will take on France in the UEFA Nations League final on Sunday with both Luis Enrique and Didier Deschamps missing key players.

La Roja reached the final following a 2-1 defeat of Italy during the week, while Les Bleus completed a sensational comeback to emerge victorious 3-2 against Belgium despite being 2-0 down.

READ MORE: Who is Gavi?

Enrique is unlikely to make many, if any, changes to the starting XI that impressed against Italy.

Unai Simon will continue in goal behind a back four of Cesar Azpilicueta, Pau Torres, Aymeric Laporte and Marcos Alonso, though Sergio Reguilon is another option at left-back.

FOOTBALLTRANSFERS' MOST VALUABLE PLAYERS IN THE WORLD

Barcelona midfielder Gavi was superb against Italy despite being just 17 so he has earned another start in midfield alongside Koke and Sergio Busquets.

Ferran Torres scored both of his country's goals a few days ago and should be fine to start against France even though he was withdrawn with a slight knock in that game.

Mikel Oyarzabal and Pablo Sarabia will start on the wings.

As for France, Deschamps will continue with a 3-4-3 with Hugo Lloris starting in goal.

The Tottenham stopper pulled off one of the saves of the season from Kevin De Bruyne in the semi-final.

Jules Kounde, Raphael Varane and Lucas Hernandez will be the back three.

With N'Golo Kante not travelling for the international break due to a positive Covid test, and with Adrien Rabiot now testing positive too, Aurelien Tchouameni will be handed a start in midfield alongside Paul Pogba.

Theo Hernandez and Benjamin Pavard will feature on the wings.

The star trio of Karim Benzema, Antoine Griezmann and Kylian Mbappe will all start up top.