Dani Olmo controls the ball against Croatia.
The young footballer highlights the unity that exists in La Roja and assumes that they will have to give “their best” to overcome Italy
The European Championship is going so fast that Spain, with little time to enjoy its agonizing victory on penalties against Switzerland, travels to London on Monday to face Italy. The team flies because the head works and the group has a great time in Las Rozas “There is a lot of laughs”, reveals Dani Olmo (Terrasa, 23 years old), one of the most sought after players and who gladly attends to all requests. “I still haven’t had enough of you, but I have little left …”, he jokes.
-There is hardly time to enjoy the Eurocup, but what did it mean for the team to overcome the shootout against Switzerland?
Everything is going very fast, it’s true. Already on Tuesday (tomorrow) we play again, the day before we have to prepare the game … You don’t have time to celebrate almost anything, but we are very well, very happy and very proud of the effort and of everything we have done so far . But the most difficult part is coming and you have to keep a cool head, the game against Italy will be very tough.
-The tournament started that way, it was corrected against Slovakia, it was sweaty against Croatia and the Swiss match was not the best. But the team finds exits.
We all have the feeling that this team grows when things get worse. We have controlled all the games. The first two cost us more, especially at the end of the plays. But if we do things right, everything comes. Against Slovakia and against Croatia we generated a lot of chances and we scored them. And in the afternoon in Switzerland I think we played a very complete game, but a rebound between Ayme (Laporte) and Pau (Torres) penalized us. Now the demand goes up, really goes up.
All in one
-Do you impose a Eurocup semi-final for players as young as you?
If you stop to think coldly, you can impose. We are aware that we have to do our job well and we know that if we continue playing as we have been doing so far, we will have many options to pass.
-All insist on the peculiarity of this group and their union. What makes it so special?
We all go to one, inside and outside. That shows in the most difficult moments. In extra time, in the most decisive minutes, in a pressure, in a last minute play … We all play for others, not just for ourselves.
-Is the star the team?
Yes. There are no egos, we all go to one. Play or not, you have to add, and we all do.
-You have played as a starter and also as a revulsive. Do you feel that things happen when you are on the field, that you shake the games?
What I’m trying to do is do the best I can. The coach is giving me the opportunity to be in the field and that is what I try. Sometimes it works out better, sometimes not so much, but I always empty myself, I feel important. But we all really feel that way.
-Is it true that the physical depends on the state of mind?
Yes, I think partly yes. It is true that the physique sometimes lacks, but it is the head that keeps you going. And if you are not well, the partner will be ready to supply or help you. In a European Championship you get tired and it takes you to the limit in the physical aspect, but we are prepared for everything.
-What do you expect from Italy?
We know it has great potential, it will take us to the maximum and it will be very difficult. We have to do our best if we want to be in the final.
-No matter what happens, has Spain already won this Eurocup by reaching the semifinals?
No. Getting to the semi-finals is a great achievement, but they don’t give you a title for reaching the semi-finals. What we want is the cup, that simple.
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