It was said of Luis Enrique when he was coach of Barcelona that he drove an Excel. Logically, he used the spreadsheet only with some, because the famous Trident (Messi-Suárez-Naeymar) was untouchable. But With footballers like Iniesta, who were already in their thirties, he spun very fine. For the Asturian, the distribution of efforts, intense as they are in postmodern football, is essential to guarantee maximum performance. If he did it in the European Championship, with more reason he will do it in this third edition of the Nations League that starts right at the end of the season when the forces weaken but, above all, when there is a World Cup that changes dates. It will be necessary to be fine from the beginning of the season to be in perfect magazine condition at the end of November.
Luis Enrique does not want any player to go on vacation injured, so he will be careful with the minutes in these four Nations games, which are played in just ten days. No one of those summoned in the National Team has added more official minutes than Sergio Busquets. Untouchable at Barça, whether with Koeman or Xavi, with whom he has played 4,300 minutes, only Luis Enrique has given the captain certain breaks. The one from Badia, who enjoys a very good reputation with all the technicians for his commitment, accumulates a total of 4,770′. They are followed by Pau Torres (4,416′), firm at Villarreal, Azpilicueta (4,307′), Rodri (4,288′) and Jordi Alba (4,038′). They are the five internationals who have accumulated the most minutes this season.
On the opposite side are Ansu Fati (573′) and Dani Olmo (1,637′). The first joins to be in group dynamics and gain sensations. Luis Enrique does not want the Bissau striker far from the radar in case he returns to the level he reached when he was not even of legal age. Olmo already had a decisive role in the European Championship, in which he played a surprising role, for example, in the semi-final against Italy. This season has dragged physical discomfort that has prevented, for example, more talk about him in the market. Last summer it had been on everyone’s lips, especially Barça. Marco Asensio also returns to this call, who had not been with Luis Enrique since November 2020 (6-0 against Germany) and who has also appeared and disappeared from the line-ups with Ancelotti. He added 2,110′. Irregular, however he has a punch and the losses of Oyarzabal and Gerard open a door for him to show that he can have a place in the National Team. A good chance.
There are two players who have been essential wildcards for Luis Enrique this season. Whether they were starters or substitutes, Azpilicueta and Pablo Sarabia have participated in all the matches of the National Team this season, whether they belonged to the Nations League, were qualifying for the World Cup, or friendlies. Another who has played every game since making his debut (six) is Gavi, who impressed in his first two appearances, against Italy and France no less. Without having been indisputable at Barça until late in the season, the Andalusian has added 3,472 minutes. In the absence of Pedri and Thiago, who has not been here all season, he has been untouchable for the coach.
The first check on efforts that Luis Enrique must make has to do with the aftermath of the Liverpool-Madrid final. Carvajal, who played a spectacular game and beat the Colombian Luis Díaz, has reached the end of the season at his best. Thiago, who decided at the last minute to participate in Paris despite the physical problems that had befallen him on the last day of the Premier, will have to be checked and passed tests yesterday. The former Barça and Bayern midfielder had not been called up all season by Luis Enrique, but he has had a few spectacular months, he made headlines during the European Championship and at his current level of football, he is still ready to give a lot to the National Team at just 31 years of age .