Luis de la Fuente does not forget the serious setback that Spain suffered at the end of March in Hampden Park, but he wanted to highlight the growth that the Spanish team has experienced since that tough defeat on the eve of the confrontation that La Roja will have this Thursday in Seville with Scotland. «We are stronger and more of a team than we were then. “That gives us confidence to face this match,” said the Riojan coach.
«The mere possibility of sentencing the classification demonstrates the importance of these matches. Tomorrow’s game is decisive because it almost opens the doors to qualifying for us,” said the Spanish coach, who was hopeful about what he has seen in his players. “The team gives me confidence, security and professionalism. If we add to that the talent that these footballers have, it leaves us very calm,” he said at the press conference he offered at the La Cartuja Stadium.
«The team has won in all facets of the game, in attack, in associative play. We have possibilities to play with wingers with natural leg and changed leg. And defensively we are very strong. “We have improved in all of that and especially in the feeling of being a team,” the coach added, appealing to his favorite mantra.
In any case, De la Fuente foresees “a very tough match” against “a very powerful rival” who is sweeping the qualifying phase with five wins in as many matches and for whom he expressed his deepest respect. “We know that it will require us to be at the highest level to be able to win,” added the Haro coach, who does not take the duel “as a revenge” but as “a football match.” “Scotland continues to grow and improve because it has very good footballers,” he specified about the British team.
Related news
Steve Clarke’s men have built much of their remarkable run through qualifying on good defensive performances. Despite this, De la Fuente claimed that Spain must be faithful to its pattern of play. «We have shown that we have very important offensive potential. Games are won in the areas. We want to be very strong in our area and also be very strong in the offensive phase. “We want to look for that balance,” he explained in an intervention with several proper names.
Love for Lamine Yamal
The first, that of Bryan Zaragoza, one of the two new faces that the team presents in this call along with Oihan Sancet. «Bryan is happy, he has had a very quick integration into the group and we are very happy. Not only on a human level, but in terms of football, he has interpreted very well the concepts that we have asked of him,” he said about the Granada winger. “We thought he was the best player for that moment,” he noted about choosing him to cover the last-minute absences of Yéremy Pino and Lamine Yamal.
He explained the reason why the latter had to go to the Las Rozas Football City despite the fact that the Barça medical report had previously confirmed that he suffered an injury to his left leg. «It is true that he had an injury, but there are protocols. Far from this, the most important thing is that I wanted to talk to him, convey tranquility and confidence,” he defended.
He was surprised by the information that Brahim Díaz has already said yes to the Moroccan federation to play with ‘The Lions of the Atlas’. «Brahim is a player eligible for Spain. He has been with me in the under-18s, the under-19s and the under-21s. He is a good player and has the doors open. Nobody has told me anything. “Brahim, as far as I know, he wants to play for Spain,” he said about the Real Madrid footballer.
He gave a boost to Ansu Fati, another player who returns to the national team after missing the last window. «He is a footballer who feels very happy and comfortable with us. “He trains, it’s a pleasure to see him,” he said. He also praised Jesús Navas, the most veteran of the group. «For me, he is one of the best players in the world in his position and offers exceptional performance. You have to see him train. He trains with a fortitude and quality that removes any doubt. Jesus has rope for a while. Being a coach of the lower categories taught me to look beyond the result and that makes me see that Jesús brings very important values to this group so that in the future we can be a better team,” he said of the palace.
He also praised Morata, captain and scorer of the Spanish team. «The leadership of the captains is earned with attitude, but not with voices or gestures, but with other things. He is an example for everyone, for the youngest and for the veterans. “He has a very high status,” he said of the Atlético forward. Finally, he rejoiced at the return of Oyarzabal. «He is a player highly appreciated and valued by everyone and especially by me. I am glad that he is here, his recovery is good news for Spanish football. “Mikel is a safe asset,” he noted about the Basque.
Jesús Navas, during his speech in the press room of the La Cartuja Stadium. Photo: Julio Muñoz (Efe) | Video: EP
Jesús Navas: «For me it is like the first day being here»
After becoming champion of the League of Nations and missing the last window, Jesús Navas returns to the national team and does so in his homeland, Seville, which is an extra incentive for the palatial player. «Everything makes me excited. We have to enjoy the important game we have,” said the Andalusian, who at 37 years old, and with a Euro Cup, a World Cup and a Nations League in his showcases, looks like a child with new shoes every time he puts on his shirt. of La Roja. «For me it is like the first day being here. It is an honor to meet so many great players and to be able to defend the national team,” he explained at the La Cartuja Stadium.
Jesús Navas stressed that going with the national team “is the best for any footballer” and defended that “you always have to have your feet on the ground and work with humility.” “It’s what has made me get here, humility, having my feet on the ground and not believing myself more than anyone else,” added the Sevilla full-back, who assumes his role with the young people who are giving new impetus to the national team. . «I have been in that situation and I know the enthusiasm they have to give everything for the national team. “That is very important for the group,” he stressed.
2023-10-11 18:26:45
#Luis #Fuente #stronger #team #Glasgow
