Luis de la Fuente is not chained to any drawing, but to a game philosophy that goes through verticality and prominence with the ball. «I am not from systems. The only thing I feel tied to is the idea, the model. The system does not generate any stress for me », he asserted in the preview of the match that will measure Spain against Scotland at Hampden Park, corresponding to the second day of the qualifying phase for the Euro Cup in Germany.
«It is a very difficult and important game against a powerful opponent with very good players. You just have to look at the selected team, with players who are playing in different leagues, especially in the Premier, at a high level”, said the Spanish coach before facing the ‘Tartan Army’, a “very intense and aggressive” team. that develops “a very high dynamism”, for which he predicted a close match since, he recalled, “at the international level equality is maximum” and “there is no small rival.” “We have already seen Norway, we know Scotland and no opponent is going to be easy in this group,” he insisted.
“Scottish football has evolved a lot and it is no longer the classic direct game. They have a very elaborate game, they are capable of getting into circulation and they have good players on the wings and finishers. We are prepared to face any scenario and situation. In all the lines we have players who dominate the passing game, but we will try to be dominant and suffer more than us, not only in positional attacks but also from set pieces”, pointed out the man from La Rioja.
De la Fuente was satisfied with the image offered by the Spanish team last Saturday against Norway at La Rosaleda. «When we analyze the matches the impression is usually better than on the field itself. In the field I am very critical. We always have to improve and we will do it because the players are very good. But there are more positive aspects that are close to the idea we want and that makes us very optimistic,” said the national coach. “I have seen a committed, involved and excited team,” claimed the man from Haro, who appreciates how his pupils interrelate causes him “a lot of peace of mind.”
Unlike his predecessor Luis Enrique, the new Spanish coach acknowledges being aware of the assessments made by the media and respects them, although he remains faithful to his principles. «I have the good habit of reading and listening to almost everything, and I agree with almost everything. The most important thing is that I know which path we have to travel. We are very strong. We have to consolidate that football idea. Criticism is not going to change me when making decisions, “he stressed.
“Give me a Gavi”
In this sense, he defended the work of Iago Aspas against Norway. “We tried to make him our midfielder. At the beginning it was a 4-2-3-1. Iago is very versatile, he is a center forward with other characteristics who can play more forward, going down to receive further back. What we were looking for was to take advantage of those spaces starting from more backward positions to try to surprise and arrive from the second row. I am happy, although there were moments in which it was difficult for us to find him. I am delighted with him, especially because of his attitude, “he said about the Celta footballer.
He also broke a spear for Gavi, whose impetus can sometimes play tricks on him with rivals but on which De la Fuente prefers to emphasize the positive aspect. «He is a fantastic player who is in a process of maturity. He gives us the possibility to play in different ways. His maturity will allow him to handle some behaviors that may not be very beneficial for the team. It’s something we’ve talked about. One of his virtues is his courage, his drive and his genius. Give me a Gavi before another type of footballer. I am left with the desire and the drive that he puts in, he is contagious, “he said about the young Barça player.
Regarding the eleven that he will have on Tuesday at Hampden Park, he hid his cards and did not get wet about the possible ownership of Joselu, decisive as a revulsion in La Rosaleda with a double that sealed the victory against Norway. «You have to know how to interpret the moments in which the players can be important. There are players who can be decisive at certain times and Joselu understood it perfectly, “he explained.
Rodri, during his intervention before the media in Glasgow.
Photo: Lee Smith (Reuters) | Video: Atlas
Rodri acknowledges that now there are more alternatives than with Luis Enrique
As Iago Aspas did last week, Rodrigo Hernández, a key figure in the new team led by Luis de la Fuente, acknowledged that Spain has more alternatives than in the previous stage with Luis Enrique. “Perhaps it is true that before we had many players with the same profile and when we needed another alternative we did not have players with those characteristics,” said the Manchester City midfielder, who gave as an example of the greatest variety of records what happened against Norway at La Rosaleda. «In this call-up there are four forwards and that allows you to shoot centers, be more vertical. We’ve only been with the coach for a few days, but each game is different. The other day we played with Dani (Olmo) and Gavi, who are not pure wingers, and when Yéremy (Pino) and Mikel (Oyarzabal) came out they brought other characteristics. It is good to have a range of players with different characteristics”, argued a footballer who wants to threaten more by coming from the second row. «It is an important weapon, especially against withdrawn defenses. In my club I lavish myself a lot and in the national team I also want to implement it, “he said.