This Sunday marked one year since Luis de la Fuente’s first. The coach stated from the first day that he would print his stamp with nuances other than those of Luis Enrique’s stage and the central position is one that has been significantly renewed.
Sergio Ramos was the leader of the Red defense until March 31, 2021. Then he played his last four minutes as an international against Kosovo. He completed his 180th game with Spain and did not return.
Luis Enrique did not take it to the 2021 Euro Cup since his physical condition was not optimal, despite his presence being greatly requested. Time proved the Asturian right since it was difficult for Ramos to reappear with PSG.
Laporte, Pau Torres, Eric Garcia and Diego Llorente They were the centre-backs chosen by Lucho to play in the 2021 Euro Cup in which Spain reached the semi-finals, falling on penalties to Italy in the semi-finals.
Laporte’s emergence
The presence of Aymeric Laporte began to mark a change of era in the central axis of La Roja. The Federation achieved its express nationalization and since the summer of 2021 it is the undisputed leader of the defense.
Aymeric Laporte in a match with Al Nassr. / INSTAGRAM @LAPORTE
Laporte had Eric Garcia, Iñigo Martínez and Pau Torres as regular traveling companions. There was only a sporadic appearance of Raul Albiol to play a few minutes in the 2022 World Cup qualification.
Qatar was where the problem was seen. Luis Enrique decided to play with Rodri alongside Laporte, leaving three natural center backs on the bench like Eric Garcia, Hugo Guillamón and Pau Torres.
The situation was worrying. Spain lost the best center half in the world to play as a center back. It was also a formula to give Rodri a fit in the face of Busquets’ last blows.
From the Source returns to the origins
Luis de la Fuente relieved Luis Enrique after the World Cup with clear ideas and the intention to give other records to La Roja.
Striking changes were seen such as the consolidation of a more physical midfield with Rodri, Merino or Fabián and that of a born ‘9’ as an alternative with Joselu. However, in the center of the defense there was also an evolution.
De la Fuente only continued with Laporte regarding the World Cup in his debut against Norway. He recovered Nacho, who had not been summoned for three and a half years after he was not lucky in a Spain-England match at the Benito Villamarín. Luis Enrique put the cross on him.
Iñigo Martínez, who resigned from the Eurocup because he did not feel fit, was also present and the most relevant news in terms of footballer profile was the election David García, from Osasuna.
David Garcia. / EFE
Luis Enrique gave priority to defenders who served the ball clearly and De la Fuente considered that a center-back should enter his squad. A way of conceiving football that has always existed and that modern times had led to oblivion.
Although David García did not have a lucky debut, in De la Fuente’s only defeat against Scotland (2-0), he was on all of the Riojan’s list until his injury.
Vivian, another defender like those of yesteryear
The replacement has been a player with a similar profile. Dani Vivian is another central defender whose priority is to defend and be forceful.
Vivian will debut with the national team against Colombia or Brazil and it will be his first international match in any category in Spain. The Vitorian had to earn his place in Athletic by playing in the reserve team and being loaned to Mirandés.
Pau Cubarsí during a FC Barcelona match / Ricardo Larreina / AFP7 / Europa Press
The revolution behind has been completed with the young Pau Cubarsí. Another firm defender who will cover the role of Iñigo Martínez, who has been left out due to the lack of minutes at Barça after recovering from his injury. Pau Torres is another victim of the Blaugrana explosion.
Le Normand and Laporte are the Riojan’s favorite couple. With this tandem they won the Nations and the pass for the Euro Cup in 2024.
Vivian, 24, and Cubarsí, 17, have broken down the door. De la Fuente is a supporter of meritocracy, although this has led him to receive strong pressures, like when he decided that Sergio Ramos would not return to the national team.
2024-03-18 10:06:58
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