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Luis Enrique: “We have a great opportunity ahead of us”

The national coach is absolutely committed to Spain's style of play ahead of the round of last 16 match against Morocco: "The objective is still to play seven matches".
Mon, 05/12/2022 - 14:49

Squad: "All the players are in good physical condition, after the recovery of César Azpilicueta and David Raya".

Continuity: "In the match we have to keep doing what we do in every match. This doesn't mean that we have to dominate the game all the time. We're doing very well and we're up against the team that is possibly the best in terms of motivation. We have a great chance to progress to the next round".

Style: "Everyone has their own weapons. Our aim is to get the ball in the best possible conditions and if we have to kick the ball, we'll do it, but it's the player who makes that decision on the pitch, which is the difficult thing in football".

Result: "I don't know how I want to leave this World Cup. The result doesn't matter to me, even if it seems incredible. I'm focused on controlling what I can control, on making merit. The aim is still to play matches games".

Mistakes: "It's impossible to control everything in football. We are clear about what our strengths are and I buy the complete pack: when the player is both right and wrong. Football is a very complex sport".

Career: "The style and the idea of the game is the same as when I coached FC Barcelona. I still see football as a spectacle where people can enjoy. We train with the same idea, even if many of the players are different".

"What characterises this national team is the way they face the matches, in good times and bad".

Penalty shoot-outs: "The players had the task of coming with more than a thousand penalties practised with their clubs. Penalty shoot-outs are not like a lottery, they are trainable and manageable. It is less and less a matter of luck and the goalkeeper matters a lot. We have three goalkeepers we trust in this respect".

Crowds: "It reminds me of the match against Croatia in Copenhagen because of the difference in the crowd. We (the Spaniards) are very noisy and it will be a party. Morocco is a country we get on very well with and the match has all the makings of a great spectacle".

Motivation: "I see a lot of desire to achieve our objective. We've had a deeper reflection after the end of the group stage and we're very motivated ahead of some matches that will be all or nothing".

Neighbours: "I think the relationship between the two countries is very good. There are a lot of Moroccans living in Spain and we will all have a great match tomorrow".

Loyalty: "What characterises this national team is the way they face the matches, in good times and bad".

Rival: "As a coach, I would say that Morocco is one of the fittest national teams in the World Cup. If there is any disparagement of that team, it doesn't come from anyone in the Spanish national team".

Attack: "Out of 300 minutes played, they focus on 10 minutes during which Japan outplayed us. I focus on the positive things and this team will continue to attack whether we are ahead or behind on the scoreboard".