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Luis de la Fuente: "The players are in the best moment of the season"

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On the eve of the final against Croatia, the manager believes that the mental and psychological aspect, along with the team's high motivation, compensates for any physical fatigue

The Spanish national coach, Luis de la Fuente, has expressed his excitement about the team's current form, stating that he sees them "in the best moment of the season." He referred to Friday's afternoon training session to assess the potential starting lineup for the match against Croatia, which will take place on Sunday at 8:45 PM. He confidently stated that they will approach the match with the intention to win.

"We will wait for the final training session this afternoon and evaluate the condition of everyone, who is in perfect shape and with extraordinary motivation," he said. "None of them will disappoint, regardless of what I do," added the manager, who did not want to reveal the final starting eleven at this point.

 

He emphasized that the match will be played between the two teams that, as De la Fuente stated, "are currently the best in Europe, that's why they are here." Regarding Croatia, he mentioned that Modric is not the only player of concern ("they have many great footballers"), and he expressed confidence in the collective play of his team. "Like in any match at this level, when we have to suffer because we will have to suffer... we must show solidarity in defense," he explained. He also highlighted the exceptional character of the group, emphasizing that they prioritize the team over individuality.

 

The national manager mentioned that he sees his team "at the best moment of the season: in many cases, the mental aspect surpasses the physical, and the level of motivation they have is incredible," he jokingly said that he sometimes has to slow down his players in training because they go "at full speed."

After the victory against Italy, Luis de la Fuente did not want to appear complacent. "Regardless of the result," he explained, "there is always room for improvement." However, he expressed his satisfaction with the performance of his team in the match against the Italian team.

 

He publicly asked his players for "calmness, confidence, and composure" against Croatia, stating, "I have seen the team in excellent physical condition, capable of enduring extra time and playing another match the following day if necessary." Therefore, he emphasized the crucial role of the mental aspect in Sunday's match. He expressed a strong desire to win the final, especially "for these players and for Spain, to reclaim our rightful place."