Spain's dismal recent record from the penalty spot has given them even more incentive to practice penalties ahead of the knockout stages, and goalkeeper David de Gea is one of them.
In the Europa League final against Villarreal, the Manchester United goalkeeper missed from the spot. In the mock shoot-outs organized by coach Luis Enrique ahead of the last-16 match with Croatia, he and other keepers first choice Unai Simon and Brighton's Robert Sanchez both took kicks.
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Before De Gea's miss in the Europa League final in Gdansk, 21 players had scored, but Spain's recent form from 12 yards has been dreadful. They've failed to make any of their last five kicks.
In Spain's final group game, Slovakian goalkeeper Martin Dubravka saved Alvaro Morata's strike. Gerard Moreno had already hit the post from close range against Poland in their second encounter. Abel Ruiz had already missed in Spain's final warm-up match before the Euros, while Sergio Ramos had previously missed two successive kicks.
In the absence of the former Real Madrid defender, Luis Enrique has named four penalty takers: Moreno, Morata, Sergio Busquets, and Koke.
Busquets told Cadena Ser radio, "We know there's a list, and we've got good penalty takers." 'It's just that we've had a rough run lately.'
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Morata has stated that he will gladly accept the next one. During the group stage, the former Chelsea attacker has spoken out about the abuse he experienced from Spanish supporters.
But he disputed that the insults aimed at him and his family during Spain games mean he'll be happy to relocate from Seville to Copenhagen, where Spain will face Croatia, and then to St. Petersburg, where they'll face France or Switzerland if they advance.
'It's hard for me to feel better somewhere else,' Morata stated. ‘My nation is Spain, and I wish I could play all of our games here.'
When asked about Spain's opponent tomorrow, Morata told Spanish radio Cope: 'They have one of Europe's top midfields.' Marcelo Brozovic is a three-player running back with a lot of skill.
And everyone knows how good Luca [Modric] and Mateo Kovacic are. In the middle of the pitch, it'll be a pretty violent game.'
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