Javi Puado: “It is an honor that people speak of me this well”

Javi Puado (Barcelona, ​​1998) is the fashionable man in the U21 Euro Cup. He closed the season as Second Division champion with Espanyol after scoring 12 goals in the League and distributing eight assists and in the quarterfinals he was the hero with a double. He only has one year left on his contract and a half Europe has him on its agenda. AS was with him yesterday.

How is the day after scoring two goals in a quarter-final?

I live it like any other of the concentration. Obviously very happy, but now I think about the semifinals because the important thing is to arrive in the best possible way.

Tell us what you thought about the extra time goal, because someone was close to a heart attack …

It was a bit complicated for me. I was bouncing the ball, I was going with my left foot… I saw the goalkeeper come out, so I tried to stop myself to pass back if a teammate came. When I did not come, nobody knew that if I left the goalkeeper I would have an empty goal. I was able to get it right (smile).

Did you expect to be a substitute after your good first phase?

In the National Team, the coach changes a lot of players. In training he does not give many clues, so I did not know if he was going to be a starter or a substitute, I expected anything.

In 2016 he suffered a serious knee injury, but now life is smiling on him. Do you think soccer owed it to him?

Those kinds of injuries take you away from playing but they also give you a lot of things. You learn not to focus only on football, because there are many other things in life that are important. As a footballer you can have a serious injury and have to quit. Luckily I was able to continue competing, but at that moment it is you against your head, against the pain and your mood. But if you work, everything can go well again, that's the lesson.

What is the secret to the mental toughness of this group?

We have been together for a long time, many matches and tournaments since the Under-18s. We know each other. We are very capable players for any situation. It's difficult to get a penalty tie in the last minute but we knew we were better. We had shown it during the game, the slogan was to stay the same.

What part of the fault does Luis de la Fuente have in all this?

It is the one that takes us every day, the one that makes us united. Regardless of who plays, the important thing is the team, it is what the coach transmits to us. It is very demanding, because any mistake takes you out of the tournament. Thanks to that demand that the team transmits to us, it is that strong.

What did he tell you before the extension?

A message of tranquility. We were playing well. The goal was a pitcher of cold water, but we were in control. They are good, physical and it is normal that in some moments they subdue you. 90% of the game we were in control. He told us to stay the same and take advantage of the opportunities.

What was it like to play with the public?

Special. He played a large part of the Croatian public, although there were also Spanish kids who are here studying. It is a pride, we are happy.

How do you see the semifinals against Portugal?

It will be very difficult, as it cannot be otherwise in the semifinals. They are a good team with good individualities. We know that we are capable of beating them.

Are they capable of winning anyone?

It is what we have to think, to win anyone. We are a very good team, we have to prove it. We have come to get the title.

Do you hope to be a starter?

As a player you always want to be, but the coach decides. He raises it in order to win.

Was it stung your pride that sometimes people talked more about the Under-21s of the Absolute than about you?

No not at all. They are very good, if they are in the Absolute it is because they deserve it. They will probably stay in the Absolute and will not go back to the U21. At no time did I think that there would be much talk about Dani or Ferran, they are very close friends of mine. They deserve to be there.

Are you aiming to go to the Games?

Sure. For any player it is very nice. But there are very good players and older players enter. It will be difficult but if I am summoned it will be a joy.

Hto played in band, midfielder, of nine… Where are you most comfortable?

Where I feel most comfortable is as a midfielder, I have always said that I like to have freedom. But when I play as a forward I am comfortable because I have more options to score a goal. In band I like to face. In any position above I am comfortable and I can play.

Do you feel that this Eurocup can change your life?

It is a very beautiful tournament and if you win it of course it will change your life. But I am calm, the important thing is the semifinals.

Where will you play next season?

At the moment I have a contract at Espanyol. Now I'm focused on the European, so we'll see what happens …

Would you like to try another league?

Now is not the time … It is normal to wonder, but I am focused on the National Team. When I finish it will be seen, but I have one year left on my contract at Espanyol. I am happy, it is my home. So the Spanish League for me is the best in the world.

How do you manage all the pressure that you are going to experience from now on?

With peace of mind. It is true that after scoring two goals with the National Team your name sounds more familiar, but I am still just as focused. We have a very important game, to get into a final. It is always an honor, a happiness that people speak of me this well.