Serbia U21 0-1 Spain U21 European Championships: match report
A sole Denis Suarez strike was enough to see Spain finish the groups stages of the Euro Under-21s with maximum points as they now look to the semi-final.PSG - Real Madrid: Champions League
Serbia U21 vs Spain U21: match report
Spain's second unit took a while to get going on Friday night in Bydgoszcz but they controlled the game without over-exerting themselves. Serbia started well and were ambititious at times thanks to the speed of Radonjic and the presence of Djurdjevic up front but there was always the threat that if they got too ambitious, they would be made to pay.
It was Denis Suarez who gave Spain the lead after 38 minutes when a lovely combination between Iñaki Williams and Alvaro Odriozola allowed the latter to race free and pull the ball back to a waiting Suarez just insde the penalty area. The captain of the side made no mistake as he drilled the ball to the back of the net.
Just minutes later, Spain were given a further boost when Uros Djurdjevic was given his second yellow and marching orders for an elbow to the jaw of Mikel Merino. The Serbian striker protested but it was no use. If they had a difficult job before, it became most unenviable after the sending off.
The second half continued as expected with Serbia struggling to trouble Spain with their disadvantage and the fact that they didn't try to push forward despite being a goal down and out of the tournament in any case. Denis Suarez continued to prode and test Manojlovic but he could not replicate the result of his first half strike.
The second half petereed out but in the last 10 minutes the two teams sprung back into life with Serbia fighting for pride and Spain's attackers looking to get on the scoresheet. Mayoral was rejected by Manojlovic with an excellent stop with Lopez making a fine save from Zivkovic up the other end just moments later. That second goals never came though. Spain were solid if not spectacular with Odriozola, at right-back, never putting a foot wrong all night as one or two of Spain's second choice knock on the door of the starting XI.
Having said that, Albert Celades won't have too many questions to answer when it comes to team selection for the semi-final. While his 'second unit' played well and were never troubled, they didn't set Bydgoszcz on fire with their display.
The game ended 1-0 with Serbia's lack of a striker making it almost impossible for them to find a way back into the game. Spain finish the group stages with full points and will now look to the semi-final on Tuesday.
Serbia U21 vs Spain U21: live feed
Serbia U21 vs Spain U21: match preview
Serbia team info
After a 2-0 loss to Portugal in the opening game, Serbia went on to draw with Macedonia 2-2. Mijat Gaćinović was the man of the match in that game and he will be up against his former Eintracht Frankfurt teammate in Jesus Vallejo on Friday night. And fortunately, although they cannot progress in this tournament, the Serbians will be ready to cause an upset against one of the favourites,
The worrying thing for Serbia, who are fighting a losing battle in any case, is that they will be missing Marko Grujić and Radovan Pankov who picked up two yellows in their first two games. While Pankov hasn't played and got banned for an indiscretion after the whistle in the Macedonia game, Grujić of Liverpool FC fame is a lynchpin in the Serbian midfield.
They will need to compensate for his loss while also trying their best to keep Spain out and create enough going forward to go out of the tournament on a high.
Spain team info
Albert Celades has so much talent in his squad that nobody has kicked up a fuss about starting. There are players on the bench that would be stars of the other nation and we might get a chance to see them on Friday night.
After beating Macedonia 5-0 in the first game and showing patience and guile against Portugal in a showdown of two powers at underage international level, they have shown their credentials to anyone who was silly enough to ask for them.
Marco Asensio, while quiet against Portugal in an attacking sense, made excellent use of the ball and continues to excel in Celades' side. Saul continues to be a driving force for his country and scored a lovely goal against Portugal that removed some early nerves. The defense is solid, the midfield is exceptional with and without the ball and their attack is dynamic and dangerous.
It will be interesting to see how Celades picks his team on Friday night but whoever it is, they will be keen to impress in an effort to snatch some playing time in the semi-final.
Serbia U21 vs Spain U21: betting odds
With progression to the last four not now on the line for Serbia, and Spain impressing in their first two games, you can get a decent price on the former winning the game, 6/1 at the time of writing. And remember Spain have already qualified so may rest a number of key players.
Follow the live coverage match of U-21 European Championships semi-final between: Spain-Italy