In an interview with La Vanguardia, Unai Simon talks in-depth about Spain's current form, the close game against Germany, Pedri's injury and the upcoming semi-final challenge.
He began by mentioning the team's physical recovery challenges, noting that the players who played the entire match needed time to ease the immense physical exertion. At the same time, he acknowledged that the psychological pressure was equally present, as the approaching semi-finals kept the team tense and focused.
Regarding the match against Germany, Unai Simon said that although it was a tough process, he enjoyed the tension and excitement of that game and considered it a great matchup in the history of the Spanish team. He emphasized the importance of physical recovery for the team after the match and mentioned the great strength of the German team.
Speaking about Pedri's injury, Unai Simon expressed his respect and nostalgia for the teammate. He mentioned the positive impact that Pedri's optimism off the field had on the team's atmosphere and promised that the entire team would dedicate their victory to Pedri.
For the upcoming semi-final against France, Unai Simon emphasized the need for the team to remain loyal to their style of play and fight for it to the end. He mentioned that France, despite their poor performances in certain matches, is still a strong team with decisive players, so the whole team must remain alert and brave.
Unai Simon also recalled the penalty shootout loss in the last Europa League semi-final, saying that although the result was regrettable, he was proud of the team's performance over the 120 minutes. He hopes the team will show the same attitude and courage again in this tournament.
In addition, he talked about his experiences working with different coaches, including Enrique and De La Fuente. He believes that both coaches had similar philosophies but differed in the details. He is particularly grateful to Enrique for teaching him how to use his feet to better participate in the team's offense, which allowed him to be more versatile and confident in the goalkeeper position.
Finally, Unai Simon said that playing well through his feet has not only improved his performance in the game, but also boosted his confidence in other areas. He will continue to work hard to improve his abilities and contribute more to the Spanish team.
