Luis de la Fuente, the U21 coach, spoke at the press conference prior to Tuesday's match against Israel (6:45 pm, Four). La Rojita is already mathematically classified for the 2021 European Championship.
Favorite selections, if you are in Spain: “We have to finish, many are not classified. Far from valuing the rivals we have to feel very important and capable of fighting for everything, regardless of the rivals. We will be prepared to compete for everything. I don't consider myself a favorite, I consider myself prepared to compete with a guaranteed team and excited to repeat the title “.
Final list: “As we live together and play games, we consolidate that idea of a team. Above all I see is the growth of the team as such. We started to get to know each other better on the pitch, which is the most important thing, that they know their teammates as well as possible. We have the base, but I do not want to venture to make a forecast of how many could be. There is so much time, so many circumstances… We live in a situation where we don't know which player can get sick. If you add to these 23 another seven or eight who have come… Of those 30, 23 will come out. “
Demand more of Brahim: “It is the demand we have with everyone. They asked me about Brahim and I answered about Brahim in particular. We must demand much more from everyone. When I talk to them, I congratulate them because the commitment and involvement is pleasant. But the last word is always that they can be improved, because they have potential that will improve. And with Brahim I answer. More should be demanded, but not as criticism, but as recognition of their worth. You cannot stay in what you currently offer because the demand in Milan or Madrid or wherever you are is going to be greater. I demand that you be responsible because I know you can give me much more ”.
Israel, the only rival they have not beaten in the group: “It is very important because it closes the qualifying phase. Since the victory it has been built better and we want to leave a good taste in our mouths and feel important, as a good team, in the face of future commitment. They are a very tough opponent, not because we don't beat them there, but because we want to win and get better numbers than in the previous classification. We must demand more of ourselves, we want to demand ourselves to win to have better numbers and leave the feeling that the team is progressing. We want to be even better, our responsibility is to improve day by day ”.
A success to see so many in the Absolute: “I am happy and proud of the work we are doing, to see that these players settle in the Absolute. Furthermore, Luis Enrique trusts them, bets and gives them possibilities. It is the greatest of recognitions. We are happy that every day they are able to consolidate their position in such important commitments ”.
Importance of finishing without losing: “We attach great importance to it, we want to finish accordingly. For leaving the good feeling of saying goodbye until March with the aftertaste that the team grows, improves. We want to be better every day. It is our obligation as professionals to give everything to improve. We are determined to improve ”.
Roberto López as forward when he plays in another position at Real: “It gives us many possibilities. He was with me in different categories. It is very versatile. He has a goal, arrival. He can be a second striker, at the top… The fact that he now plays for his club in another area enriches him even more as a footballer. The important thing is that it has minutes, that it grows and that it lives different experiences. That will make him a better player. Close to the area can be very effective and it proved. He scored a goal and had two clear chances. It generates competition and that is good for everyone to demand a little more of themselves ”.
Bryan Gil, an important player: “Anything that has the minutes and the chance to develop its potential is very good news. It is reason to be happy for him and for Eibar. And for us, because at that level of demand he matures much more, he grows as a footballer being as young as Bryan is. If you continue with that progression it can be important with us. It has very outstanding conditions. If he has continuity and continues working, he will have a place in the National Team and in any team, he is qualified for it ”.
Keys to achieve this level: “The talent and ability of footballers. We knew the group and the level of involvement. It was a new group and from the first moment we saw that they made pineapple. We fostered that spirit and we took steps. We have come a long way, objectively. At each concentration the team looked better. Success belongs to the players, who mature and get better. I see that between now and March they have a great space for improvement if they have continuity. We have a team to fight for the maximum ”.
Unai Simon: “He is perfectly qualified. But he has other trained colleagues, of a very high level. In the goal there are five or six very high level goalkeepers. I know Unai very well, I am convinced that he will be a very important goalkeeper. He did not expect that he would have the opportunity so soon in the Absolute, but he is prepared. Very prepared. He still has a lot to give but he has the potential to give it. It must be required. He is prepared for that challenge for sure, with total guarantee ”.