At the crucial moment when Spain is about to embark on the semi-final of the European Cup against France, Spain's manager De La Fuente gave an exclusive interview to As, analyzing the highly anticipated matchup in depth and sharing his coaching philosophy and the team's preparation for the game.
De la Fuente began by emphasizing the connection between the team and its fans. He pointed out that the Spanish team is not just a soccer team, but belongs to all the Spanish people. He mentioned that the team's solidarity and fighting spirit in the games has attracted the attention of a large number of young fans, which is very gratifying for them. De la Fuente believes that it is their unfinished business to make young people fall in love with soccer and the national team, and the team's current achievements have laid a solid foundation for this.
Speaking about the team's playing style, De La Fuente said that they have a group of players who are extremely fast and good at switching between offense and defense, but this also means that the team needs to take more risks in the game. He emphasized that controlling the pace and speed of the game is crucial for the team, and that they cannot let their speed and power get out of control. According to De La Fuente, the team needs to strengthen its defense and collaboration while maintaining its offensive prowess to ensure that it takes the initiative in the game.
Responding to the recent upset when Yamal was substituted, De La Fuente said he did not feel Yamal was angry. He emphasized that the interest of the team always comes first and any player must understand that. He mentioned that substitutes also have the right to play and that players need to respect the coach's decisions and the efforts of their teammates. De La Fuente also said that the team has a number of good players who have the flexibility to adjust their lineup and tactics according to the game.
Speaking about how to defend against a top striker like Mbappe, De La Fuente said that co-defending and keeping the formation balanced are key. He mentioned that players such as Mbappe and Dembele have excellent dribbling and breaking abilities, but the team can limit their play through close collaboration and quick passing. De La Fuente also emphasized that the team needs to keep an eye on other areas of the pitch and not just focus on one player.
Finally, de la Fuente expressed his confidence and expectations for the team. He said that the Spanish team is well prepared and they will be in the best condition to face the French team. He believes that as long as the team maintains its unity and fighting spirit, and controls the pace and speed of the game, it will be able to create more offensive opportunities and win the game.
