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Luis de la Fuente: "We are approaching this next game as if it were our last".

The Spanish coach denies there is any room for complacency ahead of the Albania clash, despite already having qualified for the last 16 of the European Championships: "We are playing for prestige and recognition."
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Mon, 24/06/2024 - 08:45

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In a press conference on Sunday, Luis de la Fuente reiterated the national team's unwavering commitment to each and every game at the European Championships, including Monday's clash with Albania, even though Spain have already qualified for the last 16 as group winners.

"We have a lot at stake tomorrow: prestige, recognition and to try to continue improving," the coach said when asked if he would use the final day of the group stage to rest or rotate: "We're going to approach the game as if it were the last because we want to win them all and that's how we're going to do it," he said.

As for the praise the national team is receiving during the current European Championships, De la Fuente admits: "It's always nice when people talk about you, but we have our feet on the ground. We have a lot of optimism and confidence in this group.

Albania coach Sylvio Mendes Sylvinho was one of the coaches to join in on the praise Spain have been receiving, and the La Rioja coach echoed the sentiments reciprocally, highlighting the improvement in the Balkan side's play and their danger of set-pieces, which he said Spain were ready for, "we are prepared for them because we try to control all facets of the game".

For Luis de la Fuente, "the best teams on the continent are playing in this European Championships and none of them have surprised us in this respect. From the Last 16 onwards, the level will be even higher because there will be no margin for error".

At one point during his appearance in front of the media, the Spanish coach referred to the national team's style of play, claiming that "what makes a team great is having different aspects to your game".

As an anecdote, Luis de la Fuente recounted how, after each training session in Germany, the coaching staff thank the squad for their commitment and performance levels, but always with the same final message: "Tomorrow, we can do better". This, according to the man from Haro, sums up the spirit of a Spanish team that will be looking to shine at the European Championships once again on Monday.

 

 

 

 

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