by Spain are the favorites to win the European Championship of women this summer, but the illness of star player Aitana Bonmati before the tournament throws another question mark on a page that, despite its obvious quality, cannot be stopped.
Midfielder Bonmati Bonmati, who has raised the last two balloon d’Or awards, is currently the greatest star of the game. Your absence in the last days before the start of the euro 2025 is an important setback.
Advertising
The 27-year-old had a fever in training last week and was then hospitalized and was diagnosed with viral meningitis.
Bonmati was released on Sunday and teamed up with the squad on Monday, but is probably not ready to play against Portugal on July 3. in the first game in Spain.
“It is so important for us and we will wait for her to end whatever happens,” said Spain coach Montse Tome.
It is reminiscent of Alexia Putellas’ serious knee injury shortly before Euro 2022, in which Spain lost to the later winners of England in the quarterfinals, although Bonmati was still able to play a key role for La Roja in Switzerland.
Advertising
Putella’s two-time balloon d’Or winner has never been the case since then, although she insists that the injury actually helped her.
“I’m a better Alexia now,” she said to reporters last week.
“I know myself a lot better now. I know what my characteristics are and what I have to work. At the end of the day, I think that everyone will help you develop as a person and as a athlete.
“I know how to deal with difficult moments now and how to enjoy the good ones.”
With Patri Guijarro, who was equipped with the triumph of Patri Guijarro from the triumph of Spain from 2023 in protest in the context of a long -standing feud between several players and the Spanish football association from midfield and Putellas and Bonmati in front of her from the triumph by Patri Guijarro, the central trio is a pillar of strength for the team.
Advertising
With Barcelona this season they triumphed in League F and Copa de la Reina, but were generally under their best and also fell into a shock against Arsenal in the final of the Champions League.
The Renee Slegers team gave Spain’s opposition the blueprint this summer to close the trio, but whether one of them can make it completely.
“They are the conductors, the engine,” said Arsenals Dutch coach, who flooded the midfield to keep Bonmati, Putellas and Guijarro from finding their rhythm.
Arsenal also reproduced the movements of the trio in training and worked on frustrating them.
Advertising
– ‘In my head’ – –
After the recent disappointment of the Champion League final and its early injury in 2022, Putellas is determined to correct this injustice.
“I will not lie to you, I have this tournament in my head after I was injured before the last euro,” said Putellas.
“I’m really looking forward to it. I have been preparing for this moment for a long time, but above all I would like to enjoy and compete to win every game.”
In a friendly against Japan, 18-year-old Barca boy Vicky Lopez Bonmatis took a seat and scored a 3-1 win.
Spain dominated the ball and the game, but still admitted to answering something like a recurring topic for her in the past few months and another question mark for Tome.
Advertising
However, Lopez’s display offered a potential solution for the short -term absence of BONMATI.
“She is naturally talented, a player who calls for more minutes with her work rate, which she shows on the pitch requires more playing time … We always trusted her,” said Tome.
“Vicky was well pressed and she managed to score a goal.”
It was Lopez ‘third strike in 10 appearances for Spain and a cord that she worked hard to improve her bow.
It is unknown whether she is willing to stand up and deliver on the largest stage, but we will find out soon.
RBS/NF
