De la Fuente: Finalissima Squad Update

Incomplete party for Luis de la Fuente, whose Spain qualified for the World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada with a draw against Turkey in Seville, a result that tastes like little after an immaculate qualifying phase. “In any case, although it may not seem like it, I am happy with the classification and the streak of 31 consecutive official matches without losing,” the Riojan coach began by explaining in relation to the goal achieved and a succession of duels without defeat with which his team equals a record held by Italy. “It’s not bad that from time to time this Jiminy Cricket reminds us that this is very difficult,” he then assessed the warning to his team in the form of a draw.

The Spanish coach ended the game angry and seemed to refuse to greet the fourth referee for the disallowed goal against Baena ‘in extremis’. “I haven’t noticed,” he explained in this sense. De la Fuente hopes to reduce the number of casualties in the last windows and face the challenge of the Finalissima against Argentina, current world and American champions, with all his weapons. «There is a lot left until March, we are very excited but there is a lot of work to do and time to think about many things and lay the foundations to face this competition. “We hope to have all the footballers to bring the best players we have in Spain and try to compete to win this competition,” he said.

“The positive part of the absences is the possibility they open to other footballers to vindicate themselves and see their work and career recognized,” he added in reference to the absences, highlighting an optimistic vision in the face of adversity. Of one of those meritors, Samu, he valued the energy and waste of effort despite the fact that the Porto striker did not end up being successful in facing the rival goal with La Roja.

For his part, Aleix García, starting midfielder in La Cartuja replacing Martín Zubimendi, assessed the team’s play despite the draw, in his opinion insufficient for the merits of the Spanish team: «We knew that we had practically done it, we wanted to dedicate the victory to our fans. “We created many chances, I didn’t want to go in, I think the team was the right winner today.”