Luis Enrique he did not shy away from the favorite poster at any time. Since he gave the list he assured that Spain was in the group of selections that chose to be champion of Europe. And, after winning Swiss in the penalty shootout, Spain is already among the four best in Europe. Now the objective is to reach the final and win it.
The coach has raised the level of the National Team. Since winning Euro 2012, Spain has failed to pass the quarterfinals in any final phase. It fell in the first phase in the World Cup 2014, in the round of 16 against Italy on the Euro 2016 and in eighths before Russia in the World Cup 2018. In addition, with Luis Enrique as coach, La Roja was left out of the final of the first edition of the Nations League.
Luis Enrique's objective was to compete and bring Spain closer to those who win. And the first part of what he wanted has already been achieved. The coach is not satisfied with just reaching the semifinals. Now it remains to finish the job and eliminate Italy in the semifinal on Tuesday to get into the final.
The controversy caused by the list of 24 summoned is already far away. The absence of Bouquets and players of the Real Madrid I create a hostile climate against Luis Enrique. He was also asked to summon Iago Aspas, Canales and Jesús Navas. Sure they all deserved it, but Luis Enrique has designed a Selection to suit him and his bet has turned out well.
The start of concentration was also traumatic with the positive of Sergio Busquets and the false positive of Diego Llorente. Those setbacks caused by COVID reinforced the union of a group of which all, technicians, players and the rest of the members of the expedition, emphasize not having experienced anything like it in their careers.
The two draws in the first two games also set off alarms. and doubts arose about the selector. But Luis Enrique did not change his roadmap or his 1-4-3-3. What he did do was put Azpilicueta from the side, give minutes to Gerard Moreno and place up to Marcos Llorente placeholder image in between to face extra time against Switzerland.
All your decisions have turned out well and thanks to his team management he has managed to return to Spain the four best in Europe, which means that he is among the best in the world as in the glorious four-year period 2008-2012, when he won Eurocup-World-Eurocup consecutively.
Luis Enrique has increased the level of the National Team and has assembled a young team with a great future to face the final four of the second edition of the Nations League that takes place in autumn and the Qatar World Cup that celebrates in a year and a half, back in December 2022. Suddenly, the Ferran, Unai Simón, Eric García, Pau Torres, Pedri and Dani Olmo they are already known and admired by all the Spanish fans. Luis Enrique's Spain is going well, Luis Enrique's new Spain works.