Former Spain Under-21 Coach Luis Milla has warned La Rojita of their task in facing Norway in the UEFA Under-21 Championship semi-finals.
Julen Lopetegui’s men are favourites to advance to the competition final this evening, but their former boss has issued a reminder of what to expect.
“Norway has a way of playing that is different from Germany or Holland,” Milla told EFE today.
“Spain must have their personality, to get used to a team that will withdraw a lot and that is going to close the gaps. They will try to take the game to the ground.
“Norway are a tough opponent, a strong opponent. Looking at the two teams’ trajectory, people may think that it will be easy, but it will not be.
“Spain has gone from less to more and is now in the semi-finals against a very tough team.”
Milla worked through Under-19, Under-20 and Under-21 level in a four-year spell from 2008 to 2012, which included winning the 2011 edition of the European Under-21 Championship with a number of players still with the group in Israel.
“It’s a group that I was lucky to be with. It is a very balanced team that brings together talented players with players that aggressive and specific to their positions.
“They know a lot and they have been together in the Under-17, Under-19 and Under-21 teams.
“They are doing great work, which continues the line of work that has been done in recent years within the Spanish Football Federation.”