Since August, Spanish football has been immersed in a whirlwind of sensations. She won the Women's World Cup. She lived through the Rubiales kiss scandal. He saw the former presidents castling. The men's team scored and overcame a delicate moment for its coach. The soccer players, almost forced, gave another lesson in knowing how to be. And Spain was chosen to host the 2030 men's World Cup. Now the red team can put one foot or even both in the 2024 European Championship in Germany. Luis de la Fuente, coach, says that he cannot be calmer with his team, that this Thursday they face Scotland in La Cartuja. “The team is talent and trust, security, responsibility, professionalism. “That's already a lot and it leaves me very calm,” explained the Riojan coach.
De la Fuente, who played four years at Sevilla between 1987 and 1991, ensures that the locker room is fully aware of what is at stake, without thinking about what is happening around them. “The mere possibility of sentencing the classification in these two matches already demonstrates the importance of these matches, without thinking about the before and after of the Federation. The Scotland match opens the doors to qualifying for the Euro Cup. “That's all said,” he insisted on focusing on football.
In fact, he himself has had to modify his habits due to the excess noise around the RFEF. “In life you learn everything. Because of my personal and non-transferable teachings, I no longer consume so much press, honestly. Only if they are good things,” he explained. He now spends that time “watching a lot of football” and “working out” in the gym.
In March, Scotland, who are the current leaders of Group A, defeated Spain 2-0 in Glasgow. But since then the red team won the Nations League and beat Georgia and Cyprus. “We are stronger than then and we are a better team than we were then. The benefits we gave there are now done better. “That gives us security,” he analyzed the evolution of the team.
De la Fuente, who received a lot of criticism for that defeat – the only one in his 6 games in charge of the senior team – assured that there is nothing personal in this duel. “I don't see it as a revenge. Our responsibility is to win. “It is a very important match, not a revenge.”
The coach wanted to explain why he made Lamine Yamal travel to Madrid despite being injured. “Fundamentally and most importantly, I wanted to talk to him. He wanted her to live with his colleagues as well, but he also wanted to convey tranquility and confidence to her. He is a 16-year-old boy and I understand that there is no one better than his coach to tell him: 'Be calm, recover well and you have all our support. We want to have you well with us soon. That was the reason,” he revealed. We must not forget that the Barcelona forward has only played two games for the senior team and could still change countries.
To replace the young Barça winger, De la Fuente called Ansu Fati, who has one goal in seven games for Brighton. “Ansu is a footballer who feels very happy, comfortable and liberated with us. Here he has the support and confidence in his game and his conditions. I blindly trust him. That's why he trains, it's nice to see him. Here he shows the spark that he has always had,” he supported him.
