Pau Torres starts for Spain against Ukraine

Pau Torres is starting for Spain today as they face Ukraine. He certainly seems to be one of Luis Enrique’s first-choice centerbacks, and he’s partnered today with Sergio Ramos.

Unfortunately Gerard Moreno is home with a muscle pull, but we groguets can take some comfort from the fact that Rodri is starting in the middle. (I have to say, of all the footballers who have come through Villarreal, Rodri is probably the guy I would love to share a paella with and talk to about all sorts of things, not just football—-he’s an intelligent guy).

Anyway that aside has nothing to do with anything. So just to remind you, this is a match in Group 4 of League A of the UEFA Nations League, which means that this match is not officially a friendly but actually has some purpose, according to UEFA. Well, it’s kind of a friendly.

Spain is in a 4-3-3 with De Gea; Jesús Navas, Ramos, Pau, Reguilón; Canales, Rodri, Mikel Merino; Adama Trouré, Rodrigo, and Ansu Fati. Navas and Ramos are the oldsters, for sure! The match has just kicked off in Kiev.

Germany and Switzerland are playing each other today as well. Once these matches are done, there are two more left in November, and then we’ll know whether Spain or Germany make it to the final four and play for the (not exactly coveted) Nations League Trophy—I assume UEFA has bought one by now—or gets to sit at home and relax. (Well, who am I kidding, they’d probably end up playing some meaningless friendly anyway—such is modern football).

Let’s hope Pau makes it through the match safe and sound, and has very little to do!