As a goalkeeper, Unai Simon; in defense, Sergi Roberto … Few finished of reciting yesterday the full lineup without expressing his astonishment: “Unai Simón de headline! “It was heard in the talk shows of radio programs, on the television connection and immediately became the gossip to share with friends in the bar moments.
In none of the pools figured that Luis Enrique would seat De Gea in a game in which Spain was at stake to be first and would give ownership to Unai Simon, 23-year-old goalkeeper who made his debut three days ago in a friendly in Amsterdam. “Criticizing De Gea is already a vice,” the coach went on to say in the previous call.
Unai beat Luis Enrique in Amsterdam. There he dominated his area, he was safe by high, he was elastic in a meritorious stop at Depay and, above all, he showed confidence to play the ball with his feet. Everytime that Unai was successful after running the risk of get the ball well played, Luis Enrique corresponded to him from the band raising thumb of his right hand.
Luis Enrique asked him to use your foot game without being afraid and Unai Simon did it to perfection. He does not show off that faculty at Athletic because his club does not ask for it. Luis Enrique see in Unai Simón a modern skill, a remedy that It is not found in De Gea and it is not the Kepa fort either.
Always be had valued a goalkeeper for his reflections, placement, knowing how to cover space in the exits, going well overlooked, leaving fists, their elasticity (how many have been called cat or octopus!), by intuition in penalties, by having command when ordering the defense …
The goalkeeper has always differentiated himself from the other players because he is the only one on the team who is allowed to play the ball with his hands. Today's football requires eleven and not ten who have control of the ball.