Luis de la Fuente addresses Spain squad selections and Nations League matches

Luis de la Fuente Addresses Gavi’s Absence Ahead of Prague and Madrid Fixtures

Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente addressed the media at the Metropolitano Stadium in Madrid on Thursday ahead of the national team’s upcoming UEFA Nations League fixtures against the Czech Republic in Prague and England in Madrid. Opening his press conference, De la Fuente offered his condolences to the families affected by a recent railway tragedy and to the family of the late Tenerife footballer Jesús de Miguel, as reported by Europa Press. Regarding the potential suspension of football fixtures following the death of the Tenerife player, the coach noted that a three-day period of mourning had been observed and the Copa del Rey had previously been halted, adding that he would personally want to be remembered on a football pitch while understanding all perspectives.

Turning to squad selections, the manager fielded questions regarding Barcelona midfielder Gavi, who missed out on the latest list for the upcoming matches. De la Fuente maintained that the young midfielder se merece una excepción siempre while noting that he must seguir mejorando to earn a recall, according to Europa Press. The coach emphasized that breaking into the current Spanish squad demands an exceptionally high level of performance.

Midfield Adjustments and New Call-Ups for La Roja

With Manchester City midfielder Rodri Hernández sidelined, De la Fuente discussed his midfield options, highlighting the presence of Real Sociedad’s Martín Zubimendi alongside the newly recalled Marc Roca. Europa Press reported that the manager praised Zubimendi’s recent 90-minute performance at a high tempo and welcomed back Roca, a former European Under-21 champion who is enjoying a strong club campaign. The coach also explained the selection of Jacobo Ramón, citing his strong season and excellent performances with the Under-21 side, and praised Ander Barrenetxea as a versatile player with significant future potential.

The squad also features a return to a four-goalkeeper setup, including Athletic Bilbao-linked or UD Las Palmas-tracked Álvaro Valles alongside regular options. De la Fuente explained that David Raya faces personal obligations in England that created uncertainty for mid-week availability, prompting the expanded selection.

Squad Rotation and the Road to the 2030 World Cup

Addressing player workload and squad management, De la Fuente joked that nadie va a jugar más de 180 minutos across the two upcoming matches while acknowledging the heavy stakes involved in securing first place in their group. The coach also reiterated his stance regarding the 2030 FIFA World Cup, stating that the tournament’s final should be played in Spain, though his immediate focus remains entirely on preparing the team to win.

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