Del Bosque: “My legs were shaking during the World Cup final”

In little more than a month, it will be a year since the moment when Spain reached glory and took her first soccer World Cup. He did it thanks to the best generation of footballers in Spanish history, led by Vicente del Bosque. The former selector has been the star of Eurosport's 'Confinados' program, and has spoken about the current situation and, of course, the anniversary of that title.

Ten years from the final in South Africa: ‘’ These ten years have passed very quickly. But it is that life changes very quickly in a short time, for example, these three months of confinement that we carry and that has changed our lives. In fact, this week soccer returns to Spain, something that a little over a month ago we did not even think could be possible. ’’

The rhythm of day to day and the value of things: ‘’ Since that World Cup final, Spain has continued to grow and undoubtedly evidences the work of so many generations to achieve victory. We can compete with any other country without having anything to envy. ’’

Little nostalgia to live football at the foot of the field: ‘’ Honestly, I don't have much nostalgia for the pace of training and games. I enjoy all the football possible with the same attention. In fact, since the Bundesliga resumed, I have seen 99% of the games that have been played and I do it with the same enthusiasm as always. When I retired as a footballer, I did not yearn for the past, and that is what I have done again as a coach. ’’

Comparison of athletes and training at different times: ‘’ The really good ones have a place at any stage. What has changed is the tactical, technical and physical preparation, and I would say even psychological. I am not saying that it is better or worse, but that it is different and things are changing. In that World Cup, seen over time, we did a lot of things well and that is why we managed to win the championship trophy. ’’

How to stay calm in a borderline situation like a World Cup final: ‘’ I would love to answer that keeping the balance between passion and concentration that situation requires, but it is not true. I remember being a bundle of nerves with tremors in my legs during the final. It is very difficult to achieve that balance because in those kinds of moments, you can control little of the reactions your body has. ’’

Choice and measurement of words to avoid misunderstandings: ‘’ You have to be very careful with what is said because whoever reads it, can interpret it one way or another and it can generate a problem. So I think about going out in the media a lot to avoid confusion about what I say or what I think. I remember when I arrived in Madrid when I was 17 years old, they told me not to get involved in politics and to focus on being a good kid. With such good luck that I fell at Real Madrid where we educated all of my generation and focused on football. Later, in 1978, I remember that I got involved in the creation of the AFE, which had emerged to help all footballers, especially in the workplace, and I am very proud to have been part of that. It was not easy, but it is true that sometimes you have to get a little out of the pot especially in matters that affect many people. “

Will society change anything after these months of confinement?: ‘’ I am very skeptical about this matter. I think we will come out as good or bad as before. ’’

Managing a group full of stars: ‘’ We were very lucky with all the players who have been part of the National Team. Everyone has always come with desire and with a lot of discipline. In addition, very good people all of them regardless of the club they play in or where they were born. We had a common goal, all of us, and the complexity of rowing 23 people to the same place and with the same force when not everyone can participate in the same way. At the end of each game, I remembered more of those who had not been able to play than of those who had, because it is not easy to manage and more so in the elite. ’’

Before starting that World Cup, did you see yourself as the winner of the tournament?: ‘’ I will not say that we saw ourselves as winners, but yes that from the previous friendlies, everyone in the team including the players, we had the feeling that we were going to do important things in that tournament. We have never talked more about the account precisely because it does not help the work that is done behind the scenes. We were very cautious as well as very safe. It is very difficult to become World Champion, and bragging ahead of time is a serious mistake. What is true is that we had something internally that made us face each day in a key way, since we knew that we had a great opportunity. The previous Euro Cup, the generation of players and the game system we had were the ingredients that cooked up that victory. ’’

Importance of the rest of the staff with the substitutes: ‘’ The whole team that was part of that stage of the Federation was really important. I mean people from the same press officer, through the delegate, doctors and physios or the people in charge of logistics. They all did priceless work in addition to knowing first-hand what is lived in a locker room. You have to have a special sensitivity and each and every one did an absolutely impeccable job. ’’

If you could be a footballer of yesteryear or now, who would you choose?: ‘’ I've been lucky. I never had great physical conditions, but I had a good thing being 11 years at Real Madrid. I would have loved to have the physical condition of Roberto Carlos, for example, that he was a portent. Like him, many others who, due to physical or technical condition, are phenomena. Ronaldo, Zidane, Hierro, Raúl, Redondo… choosing is very complicated. My preferences or at least what I tend to focus more on are midfielders, who in my opinion are the players who best stage the task of a coach on the field. Busquets, Senna or Xabi Alonso are examples of how important and vital midfielders are to a team. If later we already talk about people like Xavi Hernández, Silva, Iniesta or Cazorla, it is because you have a team of 23 very starters. ’’