A year after winning the UEFA Nations League with the Spanish national team, Nacho Fernández is living in another dream in the form of the European Championships.

The 34-year-old from Alcalá is one of the key players in Spain's defence, unbeaten so far in a continental tournament in which the national team is producing the best results of all the participating teams.

"We don't mind being considered favourites," confesses Nacho, for whom "the important thing is to stay focused on the work we are doing. We need to continue in the same vein and be focused when the match against Georgia comes around.

It will be the first all-or-nothing match for the national team and the centre-back is well aware of that: "We are entering the decisive phase, the most dangerous and we know it's difficult, but we are dreaming and we want to dream big. Hopefully we'll be in the final, we can win it and I can finish my career in Europe in the best possible way".

The former Real Madrid youth player confirmed a couple of days ago that he is signing for Al-Qadsiah F.C. and he showed his support for his teammates in a Spain team that he describes as "an explosive mix of youth and experience. It's a fantastic group in which an incredible atmosphere has been created and we have a lot of confidence in doing well at this European Championships.

Sunday's clash in Cologne is another litmus test for Spain, who can count on the extraordinary performances of a Nacho full of praise for his younger team-mates such as Lamine Yamal and eager to face the next challenge with the same excitement as if it were his first time: "The hair on the back of my neck is standing on end at the European Championships," the Madrid defender summarises.