MADRID, 17 Jun. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The Spanish coach, Luis de la Fuente, has assured that he sees his players “at the best moment of the season” and that he knows that “they will not” “let him down” in the final of the League of Nations this Sunday against Croatia, in which “the two best teams in Europe” will face each other today, and has stated that the important thing is “the previous work” and that the titles are only “the varnish”.
“Although we are two teams with different characteristics, it will be a very even final. We have shown that today we are the two best teams in Europe. We are going to try to exploit our weapons and our arguments. There are all virtues in both teams, and when we find a defect there will be We have to make it a virtue. We have to ensure that our potential is better than that of the rival”, he declared at a press conference.
In addition, he sees his footballers “at the best moment of the season.” “The physical aspect is outweighed by the psychological and mental aspect, and we are so motivated and wanting to play this game that I have to stop them on many occasions, because the training sessions are played at breakneck speed. I see the team at its best time to face this match”, he said.
“They are all perfectly, with exceptional and extraordinary motivation. I have confidence and blind faith in each and every one of them, none of them will disappoint us. When changes are made, it is not done on a whim, in our reflection we value many things An alignment is never done on a whim, it is always in our approach that it be very reasoned, “he continued.
Regarding his team’s performance against Italy, the coach from La Rioja believes that “everything can be improved.” “The idea is taking hold, and overall I am very satisfied with the team’s performance, I felt satisfied. We have to demand, because every day they show me that we can do better. Little by little we are seeing what we want to see, and tomorrow is the day to take another little step forward. He is going to demand the best we can give from us,” he said.
Regarding the possibility of the final going to extra time, where the Balkans are hardened by their experience in the World Cup in Qatar, he acknowledged that they would like to “finish the game within the initial 90 minutes.” “When it happens, many things go through your head: the physique marks a lot, but above all the head sets the tone. Sometimes, there are things that the body believes that it cannot give and in those extreme and vital situations it does. We’re going to try not to go to extra time, but if it does I’m calm. I’ve seen the team very strong and capable of withstanding an extra time and another game the next day if necessary,” he said.
He also confirmed that they have “worked on penalties too.” “Everything that can be controlled, you have to try to improve it, and in this scenario we have worked on penalties and different situations that can occur in a game of these characteristics,” he said.
However, he does not expect the last scenario between the two teams to be repeated, with extra time and a bulky result (5-3). “The game that the fans like is an 8-7, for the coach surely not. We like to have it more controlled, less crazy. We will always try to control, take the initiative, it would be the ideal scenario. We will try to be intelligent and ripe to win. The result doesn’t worry me, in a final it’s probably the least important thing, but we’re going to play to win”, he asserted.
The ‘La Roja’ coach assured that Real Madrid player Luka Modric puts them “on alert, but not just Modric”. “Croatia has many other footballers of a very high level. We have to be more alert, and we are going to try to become strong in our strengths, enhance all the virtues we have, grow a little more and, when we have to suffer, be a supportive team and involved in the defense,” he said.
On the other hand, De la Fuente played down the importance of playing the fifth final as coach. “Those that give recognition are the titles, but I am a romantic and I think that the important thing is the work prior to achieving the titles; the title is the varnish. I am very happy with my work, with the possibility of playing this final “I’ve been satisfied with all the finals; playing in a final is a privilege that very few have, and when you give everything there can be no frustration. We want to win this title, because I want these players to win it, because Spain has to win the space that corresponds to it”, he explained.
“RODRI IS THE BEST MEDICENTER IN THE WORLD”
Regarding the ‘duel’ in midfield between Rodri Hernández and Luka Modric, he assured that they are “two out of the ordinary”. “I already said that for me Rodri is the best midfielder in the world, and Modric seems to me a world ‘top’ because of the performance he is offering. They are two of the best in the world in their positions, with absolute certainty”, he said.
Precisely, the man from Madrid is the only player along with Mikel Merino who has played all of De la Fuente’s games as coach. “I know them very well, I know that they never fail. With me they have always behaved exceptionally. When I have had to demand from them they have always lived up to it and have performed above even what I have asked of them. They are two sure values”, express.
He also praised the “phenomenal” performance offered by full-backs Jesús Navas and Jordi Alba on Thursday, and positively valued the work of Robin Le Normand and Aymeric Laporte in the center of defense. “We have a very balanced and versatile group of players. They are offering what we expect of them, they are great footballers with a background at a fantastic club level. I am especially happy with Le Normand’s debut, he is having an extraordinary season”, he pointed out.
In addition, he recognized that Dani Olmo “is especially excited” to play the game because of his past at Dinamo Zagreb and is “with tremendous motivation”, and assured that he has seen Ansu Fati “integrated and happy”. “I have seen him happy, recovering sensations. On the field I see him wanting to show that he is recovering those sensations from the past, and hopefully it will be tomorrow,” he said.
“I’m very calm with Rodrigo, with Morata and with Joselu. As they say in my town, it’s ‘shoot to stop’, I’m going to get it right for sure. I’m sure we’ll choose who we think is correct,” he added about the strikers, indicating that no footballer is thinking about his contractual situation with his clubs. “I see them very focused. These are days in which they have to make a small effort, I see them very focused. They are very generous and value the significance of the team,” he explained.
He also gave his opinion on Gavi’s performance as a midfielder. “I like Gavi in almost all positions, you can hardly find a Gavi who doesn’t play well in any of them. Then, for everyone it’s the colors. I’m very happy with what he did in the last game and I know he’s going to be still better his contribution in the future. Regardless of the position he occupies, I am sure that he will make a great game if he has to play”, he stressed.
Regarding the footballers who will leave without playing for a minute, he stressed that “they only have to live together and day to day they have to feel very important.” “They are privileged. We have an exceptional group and we are thinking more about the team than about ourselves. If someone leaves without having participated, they are exactly the same champion as the one who has played all the games; to the one who has played, surely the What has done him good is the one who has not played, because he has demanded and put him on alert”, he declared.
Finally, the Spanish coach refused to assess a possible arrival of the Frenchman Kylian Mbappé at Real Madrid. “With all my love for Mbappé, I’m not worried about anything. I’m worried about tomorrow’s game. What Mbappé or another player does… let him be very happy,” he concluded.