MADRID, 1 Jun. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The Spanish football coach, Luis Enrique Martínez, was “very excited” about the upcoming League of Nations matches and focused on the World Cup in Qatar, which will be played at the end of the year, where he hopes that “there will be surprises” in the definitive squad list.
The Asturian coach admitted that this ‘FIFA window’ determines, but it is not different for the rest of the teams before facing Portugal on the first day on Thursday. “In principle, it conditions me, but we usually take into account all the factors that surround the national team to safeguard the performance of the players and to be competitive. This is the calendar and these are the dates, we take everything into account, but Portugal and Czech Republic are the same as us,” he said about the next two rivals.
“I had to play at the end of the season with the national team -when I was a player- and it is true that one is already seeing the holidays, but we also all have in mind the importance of representing the national team, which also means a lot because in five or six months away there is a World Cup. A World Cup that is of vital importance for the players. In short, we take into account everything that we can control”, he pointed out.
In this sense, Luis Enrique said that nothing will be saved because they are not friendly matches. “The only goal we have is to try to win this competition, it’s the goal we always have, whether it’s friendly, official or whatever the match is. The goal is to win all four games, it will be very difficult because of equality and the alternatives in the group, but I repeat, our goal is always the same. And we can look for mitigating factors but they are the same conditions for all the teams”, recalled the man from Gijón.
Regarding the words of the Portuguese coach, Fernando Santos, who highlighted the defensive game of ‘la Roja’, Luis Enrique said that “he appreciates the words of the team colleagues”. “Obviously, possession of the ball takes more attention, but we are also a top selection defensively. If you don’t balance how you attack and how you defend, you won’t be forceful. They have analyzed us, they know us well and we also know them well. them,” he said.
“They are very organized and have great quality, you just have to see what their players cost in European transfers. They are a top-level team and have recently won important titles. In the last two friendlies we were able to win and lose both and in the end we tied. We’ll see what happens this Thursday”, he commented on the ‘tuga’ team.
In addition, Luis Enrique rejected that there is a great rivalry between the two combined. “Beyond the history that we are neighboring countries always implies rivalry, because you fight with the one next door, but it is a positive rivalry beyond the projects we have in common to host the World Cup. You can see a great show, we will try that there are goals and I hope that it serves as a stimulus for the fans to have a good time”.
And he did not want to qualify if Cristiano has ceased to be in the first world order. “I do not dedicate myself to highlighting who are the kings of football, mambo or salsa. Players who have been at a high level and have won everything are judged by the present and now I enjoy seeing good players, of course Messi and Cristiano, but also with everyone who comes out. Me, to enjoy football”.
On the other hand, the Spanish coach was also asked about several proper names, including Ansu Fati. “Ansu is well beyond the situation he has experienced this season. We are here to help him and we will see if it is possible for him to have minutes. It would be good for him to play, obviously, but these are official matches and we need the players to be one hundred percent hundred,” he said.
“We have to forget about his injury because he is recovered, in the end a pathology is created that is not necessary. He is healthy and depending on what we see in training he will have the opportunity to compete. And what a player needs who has a long time without playing, is to play”, affirmed.
“Asensio? I have seen him very well, he has been with us for a long time. He has top individual quality, but I don’t see this as a handicap, on the contrary. If I have characterized myself for something, it is that the player who comes, is Whatever the reason, he knows that the important thing is to be here. When he competes we will see him, but in training I have seen him very well”, he added about the Real Madrid player from the Balearic Islands.
“THE BEST VERSION OF THE NATIONAL TEAM NEEDS BUSQUETS”
In relation to Busquets, who missed the March games due to rest, Luis Enrique assured that he is “exceptional”. “Many times unfairly criticized. He is the one who has played the most minutes, I gave him rest in March and I would also give it to him now but I cannot afford those whims.”
“He will be able to play as many years as he wants, it will be his head that decides to stop. We try to take care of him but we cannot give him rest in official matches, the best version of the team needs Busquets,” he said of the Barça midfielder.
And on his right sides he said he was delighted. “I am delighted with my right-backs, Azpilicueta and Carvajal, but I did highlight (a few months ago) that there are eight or nine players on the left-back to represent us. It’s good for me, but for a player it’s a stick because there are many in your site,” he said.
“It is practically impossible for me to have complained about this. I feel privileged to be Spain’s coach because of the level of football we have in our country. I have always highlighted how lucky I am,” said Luis Enrique, who did not want to enter into controversy about the FIFA dates, although he did defend the new competition.
“We only have five FIFA dates and they are placed as they are. I am not going to get into controversy about whether I like it or not. It is logical to think about reinforcing the player, but from here on I will focus on the national team and everything that It benefits the player. We don’t train to pass the time, we train to prepare for the matches,” he said.
“I understand the controversies of other coaches but I don’t want to get involved in wars that I can’t control. It’s a tournament that was born to eliminate friendlies, it would be a torpor for everyone, and this competition brings back good memories, it has a very nice format, and It motivates us, we are delighted to play these four games and since our idea has always been to be a group, regardless of who plays, it can benefit us”, he added.
Regarding the World Cup, Luis Enrique said that they are still preparing the event and they still do not know if the date at the end of the year will allow us to see a better performance of the players. “This question we ask ourselves as coaches, my experience of the three World Cups I played were at the end of the season and you arrive with exhausted batteries, but that stimulus overcomes everything”.
“And it can be beneficial because there can be a higher physical level, but nobody knows and nobody is sure. We won’t have the two or three weeks before the World Cup and it will all be very different. Different circumstances but I can’t classify them as adverse. We would all prefer more time, it is clear,” he added.
Finally, in relation to who the leaders of his team are, the coach was clear. “Of course I have leaders on the field, the captains Busquets, Jordi ALba, Koke, and there are also youngsters who contribute many things. It is true that my lists are becoming more predictable, it is logical because if they have my confidence and have given the level go ahead,” he said.
“But the players are not stupid, they know that the list is always open. I hope there will be surprises before the World Cup because young and not so young players will appear at a great level and it is possible that they can make us better”, concluded Luis Enrique.