Luis de la Fuente Praises Squad Depth and Tactical Changes After Spain’s Victory

Spain manager Luis de la Fuente has extended his unbeaten streak to 13 matches across the European Championship and World Cup following a victory over Belgium. De la Fuente credited the team’s collective commitment and the versatility of Mikel Merino, who scored the winning goal, for maintaining the squad’s stability and tactical flexibility during the tournament.

Luis de la Fuente credits Mikel Merino for squad stability

Speaking after the match, Luis de la Fuente highlighted the psychological impact of having reliable players in the squad. The manager stated that seeing Mikel Merino in the lineup provides him with a sense of calm, noting, “I look back, I see Mikel Merino and I am calm.”

De la Fuente attributed this composure to his knowledge of the players’ technical and human potential. He argued that the team responds better to affection and solidarity than to histrionics, suggesting that the squad would not react well to aggressive or erratic coaching behavior. According to the manager, the players’ understanding of their specific roles allows the coaching staff to make tactical adjustments with confidence.

Tactical shifts and the role of Fabián Ruiz and Pedri

The victory was shaped by specific personnel changes. Fabián Ruiz started the match in place of Pedri and scored the opening goal. De la Fuente explained that the decision was based on a need for “freshness” and a different tactical touch, asserting that Pedri could benefit from the groundwork laid by Ruiz.

The manager defended his decision-making process against retrospective criticism. He noted that while post-match analysis is easier, the decisions are made based on a deep knowledge of what each player provides in specific moments. De la Fuente described Pedri as a “superclass” player but labeled Fabián Ruiz as one of the best players in the world, emphasizing that it is unfair to undervalue the contributions of those who do not always start, including Gavi and Martin Zubimendi.

The versatility of Mikel Merino

Mikel Merino’s impact extended beyond the winning goal. De la Fuente described Merino as a “complete footballer” whose versatility allows him to operate across multiple positions. The manager listed the roles Merino has successfully filled, including:

• Pivot (6)
• Central midfielder (8)
• Attacking midfielder (10)
• Second striker/Center forward (9)

The manager revealed that the coaching staff even considered deploying Merino as a center forward due to his specific characteristics. De la Fuente praised Merino’s exceptional understanding of the game and his professional attitude, citing his generosity and commitment to the team’s collective goals.

A historic unbeaten run for De la Fuente

The win over Belgium marks a significant milestone for Luis de la Fuente, who has now gone 13 consecutive matches without defeat across the Eurocopa and World Cup. This record is currently unmatched by other managers in this specific context.

De la Fuente attributed the achievement to his support system, including the players and his staff. He stated that he could not have reached this mark alone and emphasized that working in a happy environment is more productive than working under tension. “It is better to work happy than angry,” he remarked.

Personal reflections and team atmosphere

The post-match press conference was marked by a moment of solemnity. Before addressing the media, De la Fuente shared a memory of the mother of Ángel Martínez, a team photographer, who recently passed away. The manager noted that he was navigating the contrast between the happiness of the qualification and the sadness of the loss.

Spain now moves forward in the tournament with a reinforced sense of confidence in their depth. The team’s ability to integrate substitutes like Ruiz and Merino into scoring roles suggests a high level of tactical adaptability heading into the next stages of the competition.

Follow official team announcements for the confirmed schedule and opponent for Spain’s next match.