Sarabia scores and Llorente runs for everyone

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When Unai Simón went to the goal that he had to keep in the first half, he must have felt at home.

The background was invaded by Spaniards, children of immigration in the mid-20th century.

Second and third generations of those families who found economic prosperity and freedom in Switzerland crowded around the Geneva stadium eager to see the team of their origins in action.

SUIswitzerland

0

Sommer, Widmer, Ricardo Rodríguez (Djibril Sow, min. 88), Manuel Akanji (F. Frei, min. 78), Eray Cömert, Xhaka, Freuler, Michel Aebischer (Noah Okafor, min. 63), Embolo, Zuber (Renato Steffen, min. 62) and Shaqiri (Seferovic, min. 79)

ESP Spain

1

Unai Simón, Llorente, Pau Torres, Alba, Azpilicueta, Marcos Llorente (Carlos Soler, min. 79), Gavi (Koke, min. 72), Busquets, Sarabia (Dani Olmo, min. 62), Morata (Marco Asensio, min. 72) and Ferran Torres

Goals

0-1 min.

12: Sarabia.

Yellow cards Shaqiri (min. 58), Manuel Akanji (min. 66), Seferovic (min. 88) and Djibril Sow (min. 91)

The Athletic goalkeeper, along with Gavi and Pablo Sarabia make up the trio of players who have participated in the three Nations League matches.

The three are also framed in the group of footballers who are Luis Enrique's personal bets.

”Unai Simon doesn't make me nervous, nor Robert Sanchez, nor David Raya.

Our goalkeeper has to generate the first superiority.

Unai is an expert in decision making.

I don't know any other way to play and I don't want to know it”, said Luis Enrique.

“I am happy for the personality, for the attitude, because we have scored and we wanted to score the second, although we have not been able to achieve it.

The mistake in the second half was not having the ball in the opponent's half, we wanted to go too fast”, continued the Spanish coach.

“It's a positive game because it allows us to depend on ourselves in a very difficult group.

Switzerland had been unbeaten for eight years in official matches at home, 23 games, and we have feared fortune and personality to win".

If Unai Simón maintained his usual calm to play the ball with his feet and Gavi was as rowdy and brawler as ever, Sarabia once again hit the table as an unquestionable piece for the coach.

His is a blatant case of meritocracy.

Since he was planted in the concentration of the last European Championship as the last on the list, his rise in Luis Enrique's preferences is unquestionable.

At the European appointment he arrived with the sign of being an uncomfortable substitute for performance for Neymar, Mbappé and Di María.

"I didn't expect that call, it was key in my career," Sarabia admitted last night. Between training sessions and the previous friendly matches he reached a status from which he has not yet come down.

His time at Sporting de Portugal this year responded to the need to find a club with demands in which he would also be guaranteed ownership.

His numbers with the Lisbon team have endorsed his decision: 22 goals and nine assists.

The goal he scored last night was his eighth goal for the national team in 21 games.

A goal every three games is a remarkable record for a winger who is looking for a new accommodation so as not to miss the World Cup train, which he has already been up for a year without anyone discussing it.

Atlético de Madrid and Sevilla are on the prowl.

In the rojiblanco club he would have a very clear place if Yannick Carrasco is transferred.

"I'm at my best, I'll make a decision at the end of these games."

The goal he scored last night was his eighth national team goal in 21 games.

A goal every three games is a remarkable record for a winger who is looking for a new accommodation so as not to miss the World Cup train, which he has already been up for a year without anyone discussing it.

Atlético de Madrid and Sevilla are on the prowl.

In the rojiblanco club he would have a very clear gap if Yannick Carrasco is transferred.

"I'm at my best, I'll make a decision at the end of these games."

The goal he scored last night was his eighth national team goal in 21 games.

A goal every three games is a remarkable record for a winger who is looking for a new accommodation so as not to miss the World Cup train, which he has already been up for a year without anyone discussing it.

Atlético de Madrid and Sevilla are on the prowl.

In the rojiblanco club he would have a very clear gap if Yannick Carrasco is transferred.

"I'm at my best, I'll make a decision at the end of these games."

In the rojiblanco club he would have a very clear gap if Yannick Carrasco is transferred.

"I'm at my best, I'll make a decision at the end of these games."

In the rojiblanco club he would have a very clear gap if Yannick Carrasco is transferred.

"I'm at my best, I'll make a decision at the end of these games."

The goal that Sarabia scored was given to him by Marcos Llorente, who made his debut as a starter in this round of four games that ends on Sunday, in Malaga, against the Czech Republic.

The Atlético de Madrid midfielder has won over Luis Enrique because of his versatility and, as happens with Simeone, because the coach from Gijón also considers it a luxury to do without his lungs and his legs.

Llorente is an impurity in the touched soccer that Luis Enrique pretends.

He barely enters the ball circuits of the inside game, but his breaks into space are a resource that the Spanish coach intends to exploit.

The first onslaught of Spain was his uncheck and a low center that did not find a finisher.

He did find Sarabia the next time after recovering the ball at the top of the area and winning the baseline.

Llorente's game was an exhibition of physical display that was cheered on by Luis Enrique.

His transitions in defense of him relieved the Spanish coach in a couple of counterattacks with which the Swiss threatened.

With eight minutes to go, the Atletico midfielder was replaced by Carlos Soler.

In the corner of the technical area, as with Sarabia, Luis Enrique was waiting for him to congratulate him on his performance.

The suffering took over the Spanish coach in the last minutes.

A risky start by Unai Simón and a poor clearance by Diego Llorente drove Luis Enrique crazy, who was noted for his unease at the lack of control in the final minutes and his delicacy in stopping and protecting a child who jumped onto the field with the game over.

And he was left with the consolation of victory, which keeps alive the hopes of Spain, of reaching the two games in September with the possibility of achieving first place that gives access to the final to four.

Spain is second in Group 2, two points behind Portugal.

Next Sunday at 8:45 p.m. Switzerland-Portugal and Spain-Czech Republic will be played.

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