Jens Lehmann calls Spain a ‘boys’ team’ ahead of Euro 2024 heavyweight clash

Former Germany goalkeeper Jens Lehmann has dismissed Spain as “a team of children” ahead of Friday’s Euro 2024 quarter-final.

The young Spanish side have advanced to the eighth round as the only side with a 100 per cent record in the competition, pleasing many with a style of football that relies heavily on wingers Nico Williams and Lamine Yamal.

Williams is 21 and Yamal is just 16 but both played alongside 21-year-old Pedri.

Spain have experience elsewhere but Lehmann is not adamant about Germany meeting Luis de la Fuente’s side in Stuttgart.

He told Welt TV: “We have seen good results [Spain] they were, without a doubt, in the group stage.

“Technically, they can be better than us. But they are short in stature, and ignorant.

“They are a group of kids. They have very young players. They have no international experience.”

💪🏼 La foto del 𝗾𝗾uipo ganador de hoy me parece especially guapa.#VamosEspaña | #EURO2024 pic.twitter.com/nrZ3o5EaqJ

— Select Española Masculina de Fútbol (@SEFutbol) July 3, 2024

Lehmann, who won 61 games for Germany, believes that Spain will be available soon.

He went on to say: “It often happens in the competition that a team that is praised as much as the Spanish team and has shown why, its good results suddenly change.

“This has happened to the Spaniards before.”

Another former German player, Michael Ballack, questioned Spain’s ability to counter attack.

Ballack said: “They are playing good football without a doubt. But maybe it’s dangerous if they don’t score and their opponents attack with determination. Then they are in danger.

“If they lose the ball, when they come forward, they are disorganized at the back. Spain looked surprisingly vulnerable against Georgia in attack. “