The Spanish coach, Luis de la Fuente, was “satisfied” for having seen his party approach executed for his players, but “dissatisfied” with the result, after losing 2-0 to Scotland in Glasgow in the second qualifying game for Euro 2024. “The game went where we had planned it, a complex and difficult game, but we have developed what we had prepared,” De la Fuente said at the press conference after the game.
The coach considered the two goals scored by Manchester United midfielder Scott McTominay to be “two football accidents that they penalize you”. “The plan has been followed by the players and we have had occasions that could have put us in the game. I am satisfied because I have recognized things that we had worked on, (but) I am not happy with the result”, he insisted. His approach included, as he explained, “playing with the width of the wingers, centers to the area, looking for shots and actions of run into space”, but that “everything would have been” different if the Spanish forwards had managed to score a goal.
De la Fuente, who led the senior team for the second game after its debut with a victory against Norway (3-0), acknowledged that “there are things to correct”, but he was happy with the defensive performance of the team considering that Scotland ” He has done few occasions”.
The selector introduced up to eight changes compared to the eleven with which he formed in Malaga against Norway. Asked if this could influence today’s match, he judged that “the result has not been the product of changes” and added that when consecutive matches are played he likes to “refresh” the starters. In addition, he praised the game played by the Scots, which he described as “very intelligent and very serious in defense” having taken the game “where they wanted”.
Regarding the environmental pressure experienced in Hampden Park, which at times became a veritable caldera, he said that “it was a spectacular atmosphere”, but that his players have already been in “very difficult situations” and therefore “surely who have not been intimidated by the environment.
