“The problem is that we don’t have another chance until June,” said Luis de la Fuente in the Hampden Park press room. Almost three months to digest the defeat against Scotlandlook for alternatives among those called up or outside of them and fight for the first title with the new coach.
Spain faces the final phase of the League of Nations in June. The semifinal against Italy on June 15 and then the final or third and fourth place on the 18th. “There are things that need to be improved,” admits the coach and there are 80 days ahead to work on theory and a few to exercise the practice.
«I am satisfied to have recognized football situations and gestures and approaches that we have worked on in these few days and that I have recognized on the pitch. That is the idea that we have to try to polish and the footballers have shown that we can work on it, “said the coach after the defeat.
An idea in which the names are the least. There were eight changes between the first game and the second. Only Kepa, Mikel Merino and Rodri remained in the starting eleven. And perhaps there could have been one more change in the goal if Unai Simón had been available. He and Kepa are two trusted goalkeepers for the coach, he has counted on them in the lower ranks and is accustomed to making rotations in their teams.
He did it in the sub21 and he has done it in the first option he has had with the absolute. Something that the selector does not reconsider. «When there are such close matches I like to refresh and I am absolutely convinced that I trust all the players that were there. I would continue to act the same as we have done »he assured after the game in Scotland.
Spain has work ahead of it to reach the Eurocup next year in Germany. But that will be pending for the next season.to. The League of Nations occupies the rest days of Spain in the qualifying phase for the Eurocup and He resumes that work in September. On the 8th Spain plays in Georgia against the team led by Kvarashkelia, the sensation of Naples that rules in Italy. And on the 12th, in Santander against Cyprus.
still remain six qualifying matches. They are many, and more taking into account that only Scotland has won both games and Spain has achieved another victory. “Us we have to win the next six games because it is our responsibility and we are prepared for it”, says the coach.
With six victories the classification would be assured. And if it is not secured in the first five pending matches, Spain keeps the weapon of playing the last qualifying match for the tournament at home, against Georgia.
“It doesn’t change our final plan. There are six games left and we are going to go for them. We know that the matches are not easy, but we are going to continue with our idea of the game, to continue working and improving the concepts, “says De la Fuente.