Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente addressed the media following his team’s 3-2 victory over England in the opening match of the UEFA Nations League group stage.
“There were periods when Spain lost control. What conclusions do you draw from that?” a journalist asked.
“We conceded two goals during a spell when we lost concentration. England could have done more damage, and we failed to impose our game during that time. Overall, though, we controlled the match against one of the world’s leading football nations,” de la Fuente responded.
“Regarding playing with or without wingers, substitutions can also bring benefits later on. After those moments, the team regained control of the game. Within a single match, there are many different phases. We knew how to approach each one, and I believe we managed the game well against such a strong opponent.”
When asked how he ensures the squad remains hungry for success 69 days after winning the World Cup, de la Fuente explained, “That depends on the players. We simply select individuals who fit the model designed for this group. There is still plenty of room for improvement, and the players integrate very quickly. This is a group that goes beyond the professional side. There are human and family bonds that motivate everyone to keep developing and to sacrifice even more. We have all these values, plus the most important thing: immense football talent.”
On Spain’s impressive 39-match unbeaten streak, the coach remarked, “What this generation of players is achieving is hugely valuable. They never stop striving for perfection. The numbers speak for themselves. What Spain is doing is very difficult. We will approach the match against Croatia the same way we approached this one. These players always want to keep improving.”
Regarding Eric García’s condition, de la Fuente said, “He had a minor issue during warm-up. Once we return to Madrid, we will assess whether he can recover. It doesn’t look serious, but we don’t yet know if he will be available for any of the upcoming matches. Then we will decide if we need to call up another player.”
When asked about his thoughts after England was awarded a penalty, de la Fuente replied, “The comeback began when we created those three very good chances. The penalty wouldn’t have mattered as much if it had been converted. Even at 3-1, the team would have reacted the same way. The opponent won’t score every time, even with their enormous attacking capabilities.”
On Ferran Torres missing several chances but scoring in the World Cup final, the coach commented, “Hugo Sánchez once became La Liga’s top scorer in a season with all his goals scored from first-time shots. The important thing is that the ball ends up in the net. Ferran is a scorer, but players who get many chances also miss some. Otherwise, their goal tallies would be endless. I am very pleased with Ferran’s performance, and Oyarzabal’s goal was also the result of the work his teammate did to tire out the opponent. It’s a team effort, and everyone benefits from what others do.”
Finally, on whether Lamine Yamal is dribbling less and passing more, and if that reflects Barcelona’s demands, de la Fuente said, “I don’t know what Barcelona requires from him. We try to get the most out of him with our style, which is similar but different from Barcelona’s. His performances are exceptional, and we are lucky to have him in the squad. He plays according to what the game demands, considering his own characteristics and those of his teammates.”
