Luis Enrique appeared before the media, already in London, in the preview of the Eurocup semifinals against Italy, this Tuesday.
Do you think it is necessary to give a player a rest?
They are all fit, except Sarabia who will not be able to play. They are physically well, and when you reach a semifinal the fatigue disappears and everyone is looking forward to playing.
What does passing the wall of rooms mean for Luis Enrique?
We are not an expert team, so going through the quarterfinals is positive. But now there is no need to do a deep examination. It is an opportunity to play a final and there will be time to make evaluations. The objective is attractive and you have to be one hundred percent.
Can Italy take the ball from us?
We are leaders in possession, but Italy can also put the ball to good use. This will be the first battle to conquer. Italy also adapts to playing without the ball. Spain wants the ball, they need it.
Have you detected hunger in the group in Spain?
I have not seen this quality in the team. I have seen a group that every time they have come to the rallies they have done so wanting to gain a foothold in the team. We have tried to enhance the virtues of our players and make a team.
How important is the support of the federation in the march of the National Team?
When I accepted Rubiales' offer to lead the National Team it is because I felt supported and valued. It was a pleasure to represent Spain as a player and it is also a pleasure to do it as a coach. I feel super supported.
Is Luis Enrique a better coach than when he arrived on the bench in Spain?
I am calm with my work and I am very well surrounded, with people better than me. I know that I still want to improve. I would like to bring the players who see that they fly, and that is what I have done in my career in the National Team and what I will continue to do.
Baggio has said that if Spain wins the Euro, it will be Luis Enrique's victory. Do you agree with him?
Well no. I am a leader, but off the field. Important leaders are those on the field. They do what is difficult, and if we reach the final it will be because of them.
Why have you trained at Las Rozas and not at Wembley?
They haven't left us to preserve the grass.
Does Chiellini and Bonucci seem to have a problem …?
I do not make the alignments based on the rival. I worry about what I can control. I would like Chiellini and Bonucci to be there, and also Spinazzola. I am very sorry that you were injured and wish you a speedy recovery.
What has Laporte given to the National Team?
Laporte has given us strength in attack and defense, he is fast and strong. A central top. We are delighted that Laporte has decided to play for Spain.
Are the players especially nervous?
It is a match in which we represent a whole country and I hope we can give joy and be up to the task.
Don't you think England has an advantage because only its audience can be at Wembley?
I would not dare to say that Denmark is eliminated. It is true that these are strange circumstances, but I am not going to waste an ounce of my energy thinking about the things that I cannot control.
What memory do you have of Tassotti?
My nose was better after Tassotti's elbow. He is a good and honest man.
Can we expect any surprises considering that Italy is stronger in the center of defense and Spain is stronger attacking from the sides?
There is always more space outside and we will try to exploit it as we always do. We have our plan.
In the RAI
The Spanish coach also spoke for the RAI. “Now it is more and more difficult, we will find a fun Italy, which plays good football and dribbles well in attack and defense. It is a very difficult team, a very fun and intense game will be played, with two teams playing,” he said. .
These were all his statements:
Tassotti: “It's part of my sports career. I was lucky to meet Tassotti, a very good person and I don't feel like revenge. I love Italy, I like Rome, an incredible city where I had a wonderful experience, even if only for a year It is a pleasure for me to play against Italy. “
Morata and the Italian centrals at Juventus: “They know each other much better than I can explain, but it doesn't worry me. I worry more about looking for game situations for my team, trying to control Italy.”
Mistakes: “A mistake that should not be made? The only one that we are not going to make – concludes Luis Enrique – is to distort ourselves, I am sure that my team will play faithfully in their style from the first to the last minute.”
For Sports Four
Sarabia: “It is a sensitive loss, but we arrived very well, like the four semifinalists, with great enthusiasm.
Favorites against Italy: “It is a personal speech. We arrive confident and we have room for improvement. Deciding on a favorite is very daring.”
Souvenirs Italy: “I have wonderful memories of Italy. Not only football. It is a country that I love. Every time we face them it is always a pleasure.”
Note from Spain in the Eurocup: “I think asking for the grade when you're taking the exam … we're going to finish the game and we'll see. We're in the middle of the exam and we don't want to know the grade until the end comes.”
Spanish public: “It would be very important to have the support of our countrymen. We really want to give them joy.”
And for UEFA
More like a club: “It is not possible to do something great in a team sport if you think that the individuals are more important than the team. I think Spain has shown it, the players have shown their level. We are more like a club team than a a national team. The problem is that I see Italy with the same behavior and the same attitude. They also feel like a team. “
Overcoming problems: “There is no doubt about the ability and resilience we have had to adapt to adversity. That has been great. It is not so related to football, rather to life in general, but without that you can not achieve anything, neither in football nor in life. And not only the 24 players, but also the staff who work for the national team, and when I say staff I mean the coaching staff, the medical staff, all the physios, the dietitians, to the press officers, to the delegates … All of them. They have all demonstrated their ability to overcome adversity. “
The gaze of their players: “What I see is an immense happiness and confidence that they have in feeling that they have been able to reach the semi-finals of a EURO deservedly. This is very difficult. When I was a player I never played a semi-final although I participated in World Cups and European Championships Except for the 1992 Olympics, I never played a semi-final, so I imagine it's a time for them to have fun, to enjoy it. “
Similarities between Spain and Italy: “Well, they are quite similar. In the first place, because this Italian team is not, perhaps, like those of years ago, that I was waiting to see what would happen. It is a team with great players that wants to have a lot of possession. This will be the first battle of the match, who dominates possession. I don't think the two teams can dominate the match, so it will be interesting to see who wins this pulse. “