Mikel Oyarzabal (Eibar, 1997) curdled a exceptional match against Italy. He gave the two goal passes, the first with a spectacular center that he wants to dedicate to one of his idols, Roberto López Ufarte. The 24-year-old Real forward, enrolled in Business Studies at the University of Deusto, is the present of Spain and one of the most talented footballers and more LaLiga goal. At the moment, it has six so many in the championship and is the selectable top scorer. Only one candidate for the Ballon d'Or surpasses him: Benzema. What a great game that Spain scored against Italy. And Oyarzabal it was the best.
What a great game that Spain scored in San Siro. And Oyarzabal was one of the best, that's the truth and it's something we all agree on.
We all want to do well and win, and luckily at San Siro things couldn't have turned out better. I am very happy for the team's victory and for having helped with the assists. Those of above are for that: to score goals and to manufacture them.
The pass that he put to Ferran in the first goal was sublime, a memory for López Ufarte?
We are all here to help, it is not one or the other's thing. It is everyone's business. I was lucky enough to hit the last passes, but both plays were good from the beginning. As for the long center from the band, it is not my specialty. But it is well in memory of López Ufarte, whom I had the opportunity to meet. She is one of the legends of the Royal and a great person.
“Now I am in great physical condition, with desire and I have to take advantage”
Oyarzabal has played the Eurocup and the Olympic Games, as well as being indisputable in his team, Real. How do you feel physically after so much beating?
I feel very good, eager and strong. The low moments will come, but right now I am in great physical condition and I have to take advantage of it.
Spain is a very young team, so much so that you, with only 24 years old, are already in the group of veterans. Against Italy we play almost with teenagers, like Gavi or Yeremy. Aren't we asking too much of this group?
The National Team comes from a generation of players who won everything, and it is not easy because the demand is maximum. But those of us who are now have also done good things in the lower categories, where we have been fighting for the titles. This process will take time, but it will pay off. In the Eurocup we stayed in the semifinals and we were close to playing the final. The important thing is that we can compete against whoever gets ahead, be it France or Belgium. We have full confidence and enthusiasm to achieve it.
Did they think within the National Team that they could beat Italy at the San Siro, beat a rival at home who had not lost 37 games?
Before the game against Italy we were confident because we had a well-prepared plan. We surprised and hurt them. Today football is more physical than it was a few years ago, and we are well prepared. Spain adds to this physical display a good handling of the ball and a common idea of the game.
What do you prefer: to score goals or to score them?
The forwards, those of us who play at the top, have to score goals and good numbers because it is part of our job. I feel very close to the area, where I am in danger thanks to the team's play and my teammates.
Are you comfortable starting from the wing or do you prefer to be in the area from the beginning, playing false nine or pure striker?
-I started from false nine with Eusebio, who was the one who put me near the area. Then with Imanol I always start on the left, but with total freedom to move around the front of the attack. In the National Team, both in the Absolute and in the Olympic, is where I have played more than false nine, but this is only a concept. To me, honestly, I do not care to start from the band, go ram or go more inside. What counts is reaching the rival area and scoring or generating goals.
“Luis Enrique asks us for work, he understands the mistakes, but he does not forgive apathy”
Is the team ready to compete against the best teams in Europe, as seen against Italy at the San Siro, or was it just one match?
-This Selection has shown that it can compete against anyone, as we have seen against Italy but as before we also saw it in the European Championship. The important thing is that the team is clear that with attitude and effort things will come and every rival is within reach.
Who would you sign between Benzema, Griezmann and Mbappé?
– “All three are very good. They are three talents who are among the best in the world, but I would sign Mbappé because of his youth and his projection.”
What does Luis Enrique ask of the team, of his teammates and of you specifically?
-Luis Enrique asks us all the same: commitment and work. The mistake, making a bad control or not giving a pass well are football things that can happen to anyone. Luis Enrique also understands this and forgives him. What does not forgive is that there is no effort and sacrifice, apathy. Therefore, as we are clear, we all know that the first thing to put on the table is work. If then we are more or less correct, that is something else.
Does it make you dizzy to think of any of Sunday's rivals?
Both France and Belgium are huge teams, but Spain is not afraid of anyone. If we play like we did against Italy we can beat France and Belgium. It is clear that we will have to play a great final to win the Nations League, but we have clear ideas and our own style. This group can carry out any game and we have that confidence.
It must be nice to play in Europe in a team like Real Sociedad and also do it at the highest level of national teams, such as in the Nations League or in qualifying for the World Cup, with the Spanish National Team.
It's very nice to play for a team like Real Sociedad and play in Europe and be international with your country. We players also want to see our efforts rewarded. We all want to play continental competitions with our club, but we also want to be international and play matches against other teams.
What does David Silva tell you about this Selection? Silva would love to play with this team, he who is a magician of the last pass and who here would have players like you, who open spaces and are in constant movement …
David Silva, apart from an exceptional person, is a great player. Everyone knows that. He is very happy about the victories of the National Team. That a player like Silva has chosen Real speaks highly of our club, but it is also an honor for the club to have a player like Silva.
“We have clear ideas, our own style and trust in us”
What can we expect from the Spanish National Team in the coming months? The Qatar World Cup is already very close, can we be optimistic, are we on the right track?
Spain is on the right track. The team is working well and trusts what Luis Enrique proposes, which is very important. If we all continue along the same lines together, I think we can do well in the next World Cup.
Oyarzabal is LaLiga's second top scorer, and with the National Team he also presents spectacular numbers. Do you know that they will demand even more from you? That always happens.
Well, I'm the first one who wants to continue on a roll. Those of us who play at the top are obliged to score, to give assists, to present good offensive numbers.
This Spain has had two highlights: the defeat of Germany in Seville and the victory against Italy in San Siro. They are two games that have raised the morale of the people, results that make the fans hook again to the National Team. With which game does Oyarzabal stay: with Seville against Germany or with San Siro against Azzurra?
The defeat of Germany and the victory against Italy are different. Germany arrived in Seville with problems and with many casualties. Against Italy we broke a streak of 37 games without losing and after many years without winning in their territory. They are different scenarios, but if I have to choose between the victory against Germany or the one we have achieved against Italy, I will choose the second one.