Unai Simón: "We will try to counter Haaland with our weapons"
LISTEN TO WHAT COACH LUIS DE LA FUENTE HAD TO SAY AHEAD OF NORWAY VS SPAIN
A win against the Nordic side would put Spain through to the European Championship and that is why Unai Simón is aware of the importance of Sunday's clash, as well as the challenge of their opponents: "Norway have players with experience, good ball players, physical players... they are a very complete team and that is an important aspect to take into account. They are very similar to Scotland".
🗣️ Unai Simón: "Sabemos lo determinante que es Haaland en el área e intentaremos pararle con nuestras armas".
— Selección Española Masculina de Fútbol (@SEFutbol) October 14, 2023
➡️ "Le trataremos con respeto, como a todos los compañeros que tiene en Noruega. Es un gran equipo".#VamosEspaña | #EURO2024 pic.twitter.com/7HjOVgZ1KK
If there is one thing making the Nordic side more of a challenge than the British outfit, it is the finishing ability of their star striker Erling Haaland, who Unai may have to deal with: "We know Haaland's potential, how decisive he is in the penalty area and we will try to counteract him with our own weapons," said the goalkeeper during the official pre-match press conference on the eve of the encounter
🗣️ Unai Simón: "Noruega tiene jugadores que tienen recorrido, también peloteros, otros que son más físicos... son un gran equipo".
— Selección Española Masculina de Fútbol (@SEFutbol) October 14, 2023
➡️ "Al igual que Escocia, es una selección que explota el balón parado y es un aspecto a tener en cuenta".#VamosEspaña | #EURO2024 pic.twitter.com/Ys0wJQ0cQy
The player from Murguía has been part of the national team squad of goalkeepers for three years now, but he doesn't think that this makes him anyone special, saying "I feel that I have the coach's trust, as do my two teammates in goal and the three of us are ready to play".
Unai himself has confessed that he analyses the opposition's goalkeepers and asks his teammates about the characteristics of the players he faces. All thanks to his spirit of continuous improvement and the prevailing good atmosphere in the Spain camps, which the player himself praises, stating "we are a national team both with a great here and now and a great future to look forward to".