Next Monday, 8th of September 2015, the current European champions, Spain, will play host to FYR Macedonia at Estadi Ciutat de Valencia on what will be both sides’ first match of the Euro 2016 qualifying campaign.

Spain seem to be continuing with their slow and painful decay. Last Thursday’s night, the once almost unbeatable Spanish Armada sank in Paris at the hands of a French team that is clearly on a consistent crescendo. Del Bosque implemented several changes into the team, especially considering players that participated in last Summer’s World Cup, but the old problems are still there, regardless of the players on the pitch. Spain were practically harmless and their only proper goal chance was a David Silva’s shot that passed near the post.

Del Bosque appears to be lost in the middle of nowhere and players don’t seem to be fully understanding what the ideas of their manager are. That old and mighty Spanish side, which has enchanted the World of football in the past, is nowhere to be seem and the so-called tiki-taka was transformed in a truly ineffective and dull passing game, unable to create goal chances and with a sometimes sloppy defence line.

Del Bosque continues to push with his usual 4-3-3 with an unrecognizable Diego Costa wandering alone in the front like a lost fox in Plaza de Cibeles and a midfield line relying on the passing skills and creativity of Cesc Fàbregas on a desperate attempt of a glimpse of geniality from the Chelsea’s footballer.

Next Monday’s match against FYR Macedonia, who are no longer the stepping stone they used to be some time ago, will be a decisive test for Del Bosque and for La Roja. There is not much room left for mistakes and starting the Euro 2016 qualifying campaign off on the wrong foot may prove to be catastrophic for the Spanish team.

As for Macedonia, the Balkans’ team are also far from being on a very positive moment as they only managed to win one of their last five matches. Their manager, Bosko Gjurovski, who was only appointed back in November, is still trying to implement his ideas in the team, and, although these processes take their time and despite a noticeable improvement on the team’s performances, there is still plenty to do in order for them to achieve the desirable consistency, which might give them the opportunity to fight for a place at the next European football championship.

Spain

Stats: W-2 L-3 D-0

Recent Form - LWLLW

FYR Macedonia

Stats: W-1 L-2 D-2

Recent Form - DLDLW

Possible Line-ups

Spain (4-3-3) – De Gea - Carvajal - S. Ramos - San José - Alba - Busquets - Koke - Fàbregas - Cazorla - D. Silva - Diego Costa

FYR Macedonia (4-5-1) – Pacovski - Sikov - Mojsov - Todorovski - Popov - Ibraimi - Demiri - Trajkovski - Babunski - Hasani - Jahovic

Monday, 8th of September 2014 20h45 CET (19h45 GMT)
Estadi Ciutat de Valencia (Spain)

Prediction

Spain 1 FYR Macedonia 0