Image Source: Alamy Stock Photo
2022/23 UEFA Nations League
League A - Group 4
Matchday 1
Serbia v Spain
Stadion Rajko Mitic
Belgrade, Serbia
Thursday, 5 September 2024
Kick-off is at 20h45
Spain will have a spring in their step when they kick off their
UEFA Nations League title defence against Serbia at the Stadion Rajko Mitic in Belgrade on Thursday, September 5.
La Roja are flourishing under Luis de la Fuente, who guided his country to a record fourth European Championship title two months ago after beating England 2-1 in the final.
De la Fuente also won the UEFA Nations League in his first year at the helm, having gone one better than Luis Enrique, whose team lost 2-1 to France in the 2021-22 final.
The European champions are unbeaten in their last 10 matches since suffering a 1-0 defeat to Colombia in a friendly on March 22 and they've won nine in a row ahead of the trip to the Serbian capital.
Serbia have gained two promotions in the last three editions and will be competing in League A for the first time.
Dragan Stojkovic has been in charge of the national team since March 2021 and took them to the 2022 World Cup and Euro 2024, although they bowed out at the group stages on both occasions.
The Eagles will find it tough to progress to the quarter-finals from Group 4 which also contains Denmark and Switzerland.
Image copyright: Getty Images
Alvaro Morata was omitted from the latest Spain squad after captaining his country to victory at the European Championship, although De la Fuente revealed he was left out due to injury.
"Alvaro contributes a lot, I celebrate him being happy now, and I wish him the best because he's one of best players for the national team," De la Fuente said.
"He is totally committed to the national team. He knows the door is open to him. I consider him a very important asset, he's not involved because of an injury."
Image Source: Alamy Stock Photo
Stojkovic is determined to make amends with Serbia after accepting responsibility for their failure in Germany three months ago.
"I feel obliged to look back at the European Championship, we are serious people, we made an analysis of what all caused the result failure," he said.
"I never criticised the players, but motivated them and it will always be like that. We were not at our level for such a competition. I take responsibility, because I am the most responsible.
"We have a big football holiday coming up, a rich autumn for Serbian football. Playing with Spain is a big holiday, seeing all their stars as well, but I expect support for our team."
Head-to-Head record:
Matches - 3
Serbia wins - 0
Spain wins - 1
Draws - 2
Bet on the UEFA Nations League with Betway
Kick off your
sports betting journey & place a winning bet with our exciting Sports Welcome Offer where you’ll get up to R1,000 as a Free Bet when you make your first deposit.
For all the latest sports news, betting tips and promotions follow Betway on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube. Download the Betway App.