Spain closed with brilliance and goals (3-0) an almost perfect classification. Nine wins and one draw in ten games, with only one goal conceded. Luis De la Fuente has hit the key again, again appearing in a tournament with a Selection that aspires to everything. Not even the absences of their best players, already in the Absolute, have prevented this group of players from leaving a fabulous sensation.
The start of the game against Israel, yes, it was not hopeful. La Rojita had two faces in the first half. The one in the first 10 minutes was worrying. Inaccuracies, lack of intensity … A bad staging that could have cost dear: Arad crashed a header into the crossbar as he came out of a corner.
The scare scared Spain, which took over the ball and the game, led by a Manu García who took responsibility in creation. La Rojita was looking for and not finding Bryan Gil, who is at that moment when players with elves give away fantasy almost without wanting to. This Selection has so many resources that it turned the game on the right, where Porro showed that he is once again that promising side of 2019 and not the one that left doubts last year (Sporting de Portugal has a purchase option for 8.5 million that right now seems like a bargain). It also appeared in attack Roberto López, a ‘false’ nine who has the soul of a killer. Real touched the goal in a good center from Puado from the right. The goal did not arrive, but the feeling that Spain was reunited with its football did.
In the second half, Brahim's entry definitely changed the game. The Malaga player took a few minutes to invent a fantasy play that ended in a penalty. He himself wanted to transform it, although another indication came from the bench: Roberto López launches it. A declaration of intentions. De la Fuente has found the 'nine' he was looking for and wants to consolidate him definitively with the confidence that goals bring. He marked it with cold blood, in an execution that reminded Oyarzabal, his reference in the Real. Israel lowered its arms and that's how two more goals came in the final stretch, the work of Barrenetxea (very good minutes yours) and of Moncayola, which showed off its good exterior shot. A 3-0 that reflects what was seen on the pitch and charges the morale of Spain to defend the crown in the European Championship that will start in March.
De la Fuente: “I give us an A, but we want enrollment”
Luis de la Fuente, the Spanish U21 and Olympic coach, said Tuesday that his team's qualification for the European Championship, which he achieved without any defeat and with only one draw, against Israel (1-1), deserves an “outstanding”. “He would give us an A, but we want honors, an even higher grade. I am very happy because it has been a very good qualifying phase and above all the growth of the team, “he stressed after Tuesday's victory against Israel (3-0).”I talk a lot about this aspect, but it is very important. We are optimistic, I have great illusion and hope in this group. I know that we are going to compete well and have a great European championship, “he commented at a press conference.
At the beginning of the appearance, the coach wanted to reassure about the physical condition of Pedro González 'Pedri', who was left out of the call for the match against Israel. “Pedri is perfect to play and we didn't want to take risks. It dragged annoyances by a blow in front of the Faroe Islands. I was to play without any problem, but we understood that it was not necessary to take risks and we preferred to give him rest, “he revealed.
Luis de la Fuente praised the work of the footballers who entered from the bench to achieve victory: “The game had to be defined in the second half against a very intense rival. In the first half we did not find that enough fluidity and we were not right with the centers. The changes revitalized the team, the ball began to run more and the game changed “.”It is a question of maturing the rivals and hence the importance of having 23 committed players. Very happy for the group feeling “, he analyzed.
The coach commented on the situation that occurred in the penalty, transformed by Roberto López in the 65th minute, in which the players looked at the bench to find out who the pitcher was. “It is a very united group, there is no discrepancy in any concept. We had discussed it, there were three responsible. Óscar, Hugo and Roberto. Also Brahim, who is a specialist. They have looked at the bench because there were three and I tell them to make the decision themselves without compromising any tension between the players. Roberto, who was playing a great game, decided to throw it. He is a specialist and has decided to execute it, “he explained.EFE