At the end of a fantastic year, with the only blemish being the defeat against Portugal on penalties in the Nations League final, the … La Roja’s great challenge is to make good predictions for the World Cup in the USA, Mexico and Canada, which is already on the horizon.
-What reasons are there to dream and what are the dangers of the World Cup. Maybe it hurts the pressure of the favorite?
-I don’t understand why people sometimes say that we should run away from the pressure, that we shouldn’t be considered a favorite. There’s nothing wrong with other coaches considering us that way, but it doesn’t guarantee anything either. You have to do things very well, but without any added pressure, simply be aware that people from the outside consider us capable of winning the World Cup. It is the World Cup with the widest range of favorites because, if Italy ends up in it, none of the greats will be missing. That said, I think we are candidates to win the World Cup, but we are no more than Germany, France, Brazil, Argentina, Morocco or Portugal.
-How do you get guys like Oyarzabal or Dani Olmo to perform better with the national team than in their clubs?
-Because we know them very well, and by that I don’t mean in their clubs, no. We got the idea of football right that we want to capture with a group of exceptional players. In 13 years that I have been in charge of different teams, I have understood that the key to success is getting the calls right. We don’t have much time to work on concepts and it is above all about the footballer being convinced that what you are proposing to him is prepared to do and, also with confidence. If you add to that the great talent they have, then the cocktail is perfect.
-Can it happen to you like other selectors and find yourself mortgaged by players who gave you success? In his case I am referring specifically to Morata.
-Morata still has a lot to do in football, he can give us a lot. If he recovers from the injury, he still has a lot to offer us on the playing field and on a human level because he is a great captain. I have no mortgage with any of them, no commitment beyond a fantastic to intense relationship for years with most of them. They know that I behave honestly. The day you bet on others, you know that it will be from a professional perspective, honesty, humanity and making the decisions that correspond at all times. I have no doubt, I insist, that they will also understand it in the future.
-Does a World Cup with 48 teams, 39 days and 104 games seem crazy to you?
-I like it, it’s historical. We are going to face unknown teams, but I always notice that the distances have been reduced. It is going to be a very attractive World Cup, knowing also that there is a certain discomfort due to the very great distances between the venues. We will go with great enthusiasm, prepared to minimize inconveniences or discomforts and value what it means to be in a World Cup of this dimension.
-Didn’t you feel ashamed when listening to the speeches of Donald Trump and Gianni Infantino at the World Cup draw in Washington? Don’t they hurt football?
-Look. In what I competed in, which was football, and I say it this way, I enjoyed Washington surrounded by fantastic coaches and historic footballers. I was excited by what the show represented, beyond what they said in speeches that each one takes to their field. I was lucky to be able to be there and see myths like Roberto Carlos or Iker Casillas. I am in love with the history of football and it was a dream, an enormous privilege. Then, let everyone take care of their own things, right?
