On the occasion of Spain's upcoming Euro semifinal match with France, Spain's manager de la Fuente was interviewed by Radio Corbey, giving a detailed account of the team's preparations, analysis of the opponents and personal feelings.
First, De La Fuente talked about the substitution decision against Germany. He stated that he would still make the same substitution choices and at the same point in time if faced with a similar situation again. He explained that this was due to the concern of protecting key players Yamal and Nico from overworking, as well as the need for more players who play on the wings to bolster the team's attacking and defensive capabilities. He emphasized that the players who came on as substitutes played an important role in the game, while Yamal, although fit, needed to be properly managed by the team to ensure that he was at his best at key moments.
Speaking about France's central player Mbappe, De La Fuente said that Mbappe's mask will be very limiting for him. Based on past experience, he noted that players can experience breathing problems, increased physical exertion and muscular problems while wearing the mask. He believes that although Mbappe is not yet in top form after the injury he sustained in the first match, he has a lot of potential and the Spanish team needs to be well prepared for it.
Regarding the defense of Mbappe, De La Fuente said that he trusts Navas and considers him one of the best options. He emphasized that Navas is in good form and is a very reliable top player. At the same time, he also said that he will be flexible in adjusting his lineup according to the game situation to ensure that his team can deal with the offensive threat of the French team.
Speaking about the plan for the semifinals and what needs to be improved, De La Fuente said that he will not invent new tricks for the game, but rather he wants every player to excel in their best position. He acknowledged that the match against Germany was excellent, but the team still needs to improve further in areas such as pressure, defensive control and offensive efficiency. He emphasized the need for the team to make better use of attacking opportunities and improve their shooting accuracy and passing efficiency to ensure that they take the initiative in the game.
Finally, De La Fuente talked about his personal feelings. He stated that he felt more and more calm and confident as the game progressed. He believes the team is moving forward as expected and has reached the goals set before the game. He is satisfied and happy with the team's performance and looks forward to continuing to do well in the upcoming matches.
In addition, De La Fuente revealed some of his daily habits. He stated that he is a fun person who celebrates and enjoys a relaxing time with his team members after a game. He revealed that after the match against Germany, the team members drank and sang karaoke together while he chose to sing Julio Iglesias' song to relax. Meanwhile, he also said that he used to fall asleep on the bus to the stadium to stay fit and mentally fit for the upcoming matches.
