PREVIEW | Scarred but unafraid
The heartfelt voice of Isabel Aaiún and her "Potra Salvaje," which often serves as the soundtrack during the national team's training sessions during these Euros, sings in one of its verses about her desire to heal her own scars while remaining true to herself.
For the Spanish internationals, who recently received the musical support of the artist, the message has resonated deeply. Neither the absences, nor the setbacks, nor the calibre of their opponents, nor the fatigue of playing at this stage of the tournament will make them abandon their style as they try to overcome the challenges.
The semifinal this Tuesday (9:00 p.m. Spanish time, live on La1 and with comprehensive coverage on this official page) represents another test of the unbreakable determination that has earned Spain unanimous respect and admiration in the world of football during this memorable continental tournament.
Click here to listen to the statements from coach Luis de la Fuente and midfielder Rodrigo Hernández ahead of the match.
Pedri's injured left knee, after a gruelling quarterfinal against Germany, will not prevent the player from Tenerife from being in Munich to support his teammates, just like the suspended Carvajal and Le Normand, whose absences will force Luis de la Fuente to rearrange Spain's defence against the French.
The coach will need to use his expertise in this particular footballing patchwork quilt making operation, aiming to strengthen the team by treating their wounds without abandoning a style that prevents Les Bleus' quick transitions, the main concern of the coach from La Rioja.
Consult Spain’s information pack for Euro 2024.
The current World Cup runners-up go into battle under the buffered from criticism about their performances by Deschamps. They are still unbeaten throughout Euro 2024 and having only conceded one penalty in the group stage.
French physical robustness and defensive capability are further complemented by their array of attacking stars, with Parisian Kylian Mbappé as the obligatory reference for the team, although he is carrying a fractured nose that will force him to play the Munich semifinal wearing a mask.
Slovenian referee Slavko Vinčić will officiate the match, assisted on the lines by his compatriots Tomaz Klancnik and Andraž Kovacic.
A colossal battle between neighbours, which, exactly forty years after their first clash in the final at the Parc des Princes, now presents one of them with the chance to lift the trophy on July 14th in Berlin.
As another example of resilience, that 1984 European final is still remembered for Platini's goal following Luis Arconada's mistake: a scar on the soul of the national team that, far from being hidden, inspired Andrés Palop to celebrate the victory at El Prater 24 years later, dressed in the same shirt as the legendary Basque goalkeeper.
The advantage of scars, they say, is that they shape us as people while reminding us that the past was real. For this Spain of 2024, the challenge today is to turn them into another symbol of greatness.
