"Think about it. If it weren't for Spain, France might have won more trophies in the last two major tournaments."
"Take the last World Cup, for example. The final between France and Spain was so intense that I still remember it vividly. France attacked with a team full of stars, but in the end, Leo led Spain to the World Cup title."
"That match was also voted the greatest final in World Cup history. Maybe we'll see an even better final someday, or maybe we never will."
"There were so many goals, and the two teams kept chasing each other throughout the match. Neither side stayed ahead the whole time, and neither side spent the entire game trailing. That's what makes a match truly exciting!"
Gullit was not particularly concerned about the result between Spain and France. He could accept either team being eliminated, since every contender that went home improved the Netherlands' chances of winning the title.
"From the Netherlands' perspective, though, I'd rather France win. I really don't want us to face Leo."
"Deschamps' reconciliation with Benzema has led France to change the formation they used in previous major tournaments."
"Deschamps used to favor a 4-3-3, but now he has switched to a 3-4-1-2."
"Giroud has become Benzema's backup, while Mbappé remains a starter."
On August 12, France announced their starting lineup unusually early, revealing it to the public a full ten hours before kickoff.
"After losing the last World Cup final to Spain, Deschamps must have found a way to deal with Leo. France also haven't changed that many players since the previous World Cup."
"Spain, on the other hand, have changed too much. Can this version of Spain beat France again? I think the chances are slim!"
Stam favored France. He believed Spain's European Championship run was about to come to an end.
"With Pogba and Kanté in midfield, Rabiot moved out to the left, and Pavard on the other side, I think France have enough to handle Spain."
"Most importantly, they have Benzema and Mbappé. Put those two in Spain's team, and Spain would be perfect."
"Morata's form may be improving, but he still can't compare with Benzema, let alone Mbappé, who has been outstanding at this European Championship. He currently leads the scoring chart with 12 goals!"
"His market value has also reached 200 million, and France are the only team in the tournament whose total squad value is higher than Spain's."
"Teams like Sweden, whom Spain faced earlier, were worth less than them. France are worth more. The difference may only be a little over 60 million, but that still says something about their strength."
France's overall value was so high because they had expensive players in nearly every position. Benzema and Griezmann were both highly valued as well.
Pogba's value spoke for itself, Kanté had long justified his price, and Varane was still the same dependable Varane.
While supporting England, Scholes was also backing Spain.
"A front line of Mbappé, Benzema, and Griezmann is obviously very strong, but we also need to talk about France's other two center backs alongside Varane, Kimpembe and Lenglet."
"I've always had doubts about Kimpembe in the air, while Lenglet has problems defending on the ground. Varane has played very well in the previous matches, but Sarabia is improving with every game, and Leo frequently joins the attack. I think both teams have a chance."
"I also think we could see a lot of goals, just like in the last World Cup final!"
The fans certainly enjoyed matches like that.
Hierro had been working with Xavi and Zubizarreta to finalize Spain's starting lineup against France.
By announcing his lineup so early, Deschamps had given Hierro more time to make adjustments. Hierro had no idea why he would do that. It was almost as though France had deliberately given Spain the first opportunity to react.
"Lloris is in goal. The three center backs haven't changed, Kanté and Pogba are still in midfield, and Mbappé and Benzema are up front with Griezmann behind them. It's a fairly conventional setup."
"In their previous matches, Griezmann has dropped deeper, similar to how we used Leo before. Griezmann controls the ball, Kanté provides defensive cover, and Pogba pushes farther forward."
"So Griezmann isn't actually the main player we need to stop. We need to focus on Pogba and Mbappé."
"Benzema gives Mbappé much more freedom. Benzema can slip passes through to him, he can create chances for Mbappé, and he can score himself. We need to be prepared for both threats. I don't think Eric García should start."
Hierro's first decision was to reject Xavi's suggestion of starting Eric García.
"His defensive awareness at center back is good, but he isn't strong enough physically. He can't handle Benzema. Once Benzema gets the better of him, Laporte will have to leave his own assignment to help."
"But Laporte has to deal with Mbappé. Marking Mbappé will already be difficult enough without any distractions, so we need someone strong enough to face Benzema and intelligent enough to read what he intends to do."
Zubizarreta immediately understood what Hierro had in mind. Klopp had used the same approach before.
"We'll play Rodri at center back and start Busquets as the defensive midfielder. Pedri will also start alongside Leo. Busquets can use his control to limit Pogba, while Rodri marks Benzema."
"That allows Laporte to focus entirely on Mbappé. We also need quicker fullbacks who can help against Mbappé and stop Pavard when he gets forward."
From France's lineup, Hierro had figured out what Deschamps intended to do.
Although Rabiot was playing on the left side of midfield, he did not offer as much going forward as Griezmann or Pogba.
Deschamps had arranged the team this way to free Pavard to join the attack. When France moved forward, Mbappé could operate either as a center forward or from the left wing.
Benzema would remain through the middle, while Pavard could function as either a right winger or a right midfielder.
However, when it came time to select Spain's attacking players, the coaches found themselves hesitating again.
"Sarabia definitely has to start."
"He can help us keep Pavard under control."
"The problem is the center forward and the right winger. I don't want to start Morata, and I don't want to start Oyarzabal either."
Zubizarreta could not understand what Hierro was planning when he heard that Morata would not start.
Without Morata, who else did Spain have to play at center forward?
Then Hierro named his choice.
Xavi and Zubizarreta both laughed, convinced that he had to be joking.