Koke has returned to play with the National Team two years later and in his rerun he has been a starter and, also, captain. For the midfielder, this Netherlands-Spain was his 45th match with the absolute, the one that more of the starting lineup. Sergio Ramos, Busquets and De Gea have more than him, but all three stayed on the bench in Amsterdam.
As highlighted Mister Chip, Koke is the second Atlético player to wear the National Team bracelet in the last 42 years. The other was Fernando Torres, who carried it in 2005 in a Spain-Canada, in Santander. The peculiarity of today's rojiblanco captain is that he has also been with Spain despite not counting since October 2018.
Koke is offering his best level in recent weeks with Atlético, which has earned him the call of Luis Enrique, who also included him in the eleven of this first game. After two calls (September and October) without rojiblancos footballers, two have entered this one, because in addition to Vallecano there is also Marcos Llorente, who made his debut in the second half.
At the Johan Cruyff Arena, Koke had a good chance to score, in a Vaseline that he released after Gerard Moreno's assistance. He also generated two good chances with dangerous passes to Asensio and Morata. The middle, on its return, complied with note at the controls of the Selection, with his former partner Rodrigo and Canales.
“I see a changed team, with another style”
Koke tries to score with Vaseline.
MIGUEL MORENATTI (DIARIO AS)
After the meeting, Koke attended the media to analyze the tie:
Return and captaincy: “I am proud to return to the National Team. I come to add, to try to do everything the coach asks. A very beautiful day, dreamed of. And wearing the bracelet is something that I will never be able to forget. My time has come and I don't want to miss my chance. “
1-1 rating: “We have played against the Netherlands, not against the team from my neighborhood. We have played a great game, with many chances and in the end the ball will surely enter. I had not come to the National Team for two years and I see a changed team, with a different style but with an idea. “
Style: “Sometimes the ball wants to go in and sometimes it doesn't. The important thing is that we are creating chances.”
Personal moment: “I try to work in my team, they are states of form. As much as I can I will try to play and be in the dressing room to help and add. A joy to be here and I will always add, not subtract.”