Luis de la Fuente’s champions mark the anniversary of European Championship success with the chance to defend the title they perhaps had forgotten.
France will peer over the Pyrenees with the chance to get one over their neighbours, after last summer's coupled pain of missing out on the European Championship final and Olympic gold at the hands of the Spaniards.
With Spanish domestic football still to be concluded with the LaLiga 2 playoffs, supporters can't have too many complaints about the overlapping return of international football, with La Roja still basking in the glory of last summer on their return to Germany to face fellow former winners Les Bleus.
Didier Deschamps is yet to step out of the Les Bleus dugout having entered his thirteenth year in charge despite last summer's disappointment. He will be keen to see his side come through well in Stuttgart in a re-run of the 2021 final that saw France reign victorious.
-
Team News
Spain
Conference League glory wasn't to be for Isco, but a long-awaited La Roja return will go some way to softening the blow, with the midfielder returning to the fold for the first time in six years.
Gavi will also make a return following a long lay-off from the national team, after a knee ligament tear ruled him out of any squads since a 2023's November outing in Vallodolid.
France
Ousmane Dembélé hasn't had too long to reflect on Champions League success, with Deschamps expected to give the forward the chance to lead the line in Stuttgart.
Also in the attacking ranks, Michael Olise is in line to be handed a sixth cap for Les Bleus, after his first national team goal helped to earn their place in the semi-final last time out against Croatia.
-
Likely Lineups
Simon; Mingueza, Curbasi, Huijsen, Cucurella; Pedri, Gavi; Yamal, Olmo, Williams; Morata.
Maignan, Digne, Hernandez, Konate, Gusto; Rabiot, Kone, Tchouameni; Olise, Mbappe, Dembélé.
-
Key Players
Spain - Dean Huijsen
With his Los Blancos future secured, Huijsen has the chance to further announce himself before getting the opportunity to don the famous white.
The dutch-born Malagueña is a fearless, pressing defender - who will be keen to keep France's firepower in line.
With the pressures that await him in the capital, Thursday night could be the perfect opportunity to keep the ball rolling following an impressive season on the English south coast.
France - Kylian Mbappe
Huijsen will have the chance to get to know new clubmate Mbappe when he comes face-to-face with the forward in Thursday's semi-final.
The demons of a losing hat-trick in Qatar may still circle over the forward, but the 26-year-old can look to next year in the Americas to rectify things. With Wednesday night in Stuttgart the first step towards next summer.
The Nations League could present a chance to tune-up in blue for Mbappe, who is still looking to raise his first piece of silverware as a captain.
-
Match Details
Where is the match being played?
Thursday's semi-final will take place at VfB Stuttgart's HMP Arena.
What time is kick-off?
The match will get underway at 8:00 pm (GMT ) — 9:00 pm local time.
How can I watch?
In the United Kingdom, you can catch every kick live on Amazon Prime Video.
