According to L'Equipe, Rodri is expected to start against France, but there is still one question in the starting lineup: Pedri and Fabian Ruiz will compete for one spot.
According to reports, Fabian Ruiz and Merino have both missed several months this season due to injury. After the first match ended in a 0-0 draw with Cape Verde, De la Fuente decided to take off Fabian Ruiz and bring on Olmo, and move Pedri back a notch to play in his usual position at Barcelona.
This adjustment worked in the 4-0 victory against Saudi Arabia and the 3-0 win against Austria, but it failed to continue against Portugal. Vitinha and João Neves were clearly of a higher standard than Spain had faced before, and Pedri struggled more than usual, but it didn't cost him his starting position.
In fact, Fabian Ruiz partnered with Rodri in midfield against Belgium, while Olmo secured the number 10 position with his outstanding performance. Fabian Ruiz was not the best player in that game, but he scored a goal and helped the team take the lead.
Does this mean he's already a guaranteed starter? Not necessarily. In the match against France, the other positions in Spain's starting lineup are expected to remain unchanged, with only Pedri and Fabian Ruiz's positions uncertain.
