Aitana Bonmatí has shared insights with ESPN regarding the evolution of Spain’s physical competitiveness following their defeat to England in the UEFA Euro 2022 quarterfinals. As both teams gear up for an essential match in the UEFA Women’s Nations League on Tuesday, Spain currently leads England by two points in League A Group 3.
The upcoming clash at RCDE Stadium in Barcelona marks the latest chapter in a series of encounters between the two teams. England secured victory in their last meeting at Wembley in February, but Spain avenged their earlier loss by triumphing in the World Cup final a year later.
“We had a defeat against England in the quarterfinal at the last Euros,” Bonmatí reflected. “I think we deserved better in that match. We performed well, but ultimately they came out on top. Since then, we’ve matured significantly as a team. We’ve since won the World Cup, the Nations League, and made notable strides in our physical competitiveness.”
According to Bonmatí, Spain has long possessed talent and technical skills but struggled to compete physically with teams like England and the USA. She emphasized that the team is now capable of standing toe-to-toe with these squads.
To qualify for the Nations League final four scheduled for October, Spain needs only to avoid defeat against England. Meanwhile, the Lionesses must achieve victory to secure the top spot in the group.
Both teams have their eyes on the upcoming summer Euros in Switzerland, where they will emerge as strong contenders. Bonmatí outlined the team’s primary objective: “[Winning the Euros] is our main objective this year as a national team, because it’s one of the trophies we don’t have with the senior team.”
She expressed her desire to win the prestigious championship, recalling her previous successes at the youth level. The aim is not just personal but a collective goal for Spain’s national team.
Achieving success in the Euros could even bolster Bonmatí’s bid for a third consecutive Ballon d’Or award. Previously, her teammate Alexia Putellas won it twice, highlighting Barcelona’s dominance in this sphere.
Bonmatí’s club season has had its challenges, particularly following Barcelona’s loss to Arsenal in the Champions League final. Nonetheless, they have claimed Liga F and the Spanish Supercopa titles and look forward to the Copa de la Reina final against Atlético Madrid next weekend.
The anticipation of the upcoming match against England serves as a pivotal moment for both teams as they prepare for future challenges in the international arena. As Spain advances in its quest for further national team achievements, there remains hope and excitement surrounding their journey.