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Luis de la Fuente: ‘We have to take it step by step’

The national coach reiterates the team's desire to improve after the goalless draw in Belgrade: ‘We are in a long process.
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Fri, 06/09/2024 - 10:18

Having secured Spain's first point in the latest edition of the UEFA Nations League, Luis de la Fuente took to the press room to analyse Thursday's goalless draw against Serbia in Belgrade.

The Spain coach wanted to focus on the more positive aspects during the second half, because ‘during the first half we lacked a bit of finesse and freshness, while in the second half we lacked the finishing touch after creating many chances’.

Luis de la Fuente took advantage of his appearance in front of journalists to send out a message of calm regarding the physical condition of Mikel Oyarzabal, who had to leave the pitch on a stretcher: ‘We are confident that it was only a sprain and we believe it’s not too serious’, said the coach.

De la Fuente described the match in Belgrade as ‘almost like a pre-season’ and explained that ‘we are in a long process, with the players finding their best shape and today playing in very hot conditions. We have to take it one step at a time.

The fact that Spain now appear to be the team to beat after the trophies won at the European Championships and Nations League does not daunt the coach, who reiterated that ‘everyone in the team is demanding a lot of ourselves, even more so after what we achieved this summer in Germany’, he concluded.