The national team coach SpainLuis de la Fuente, considered that the friendly against Brazil This Tuesday, at the Santiago Bernabéu stadium, it could be “a World Cup final”, as the team prepares to compete in the European Championship.
“It’s a game to which we attach great importance, it could perfectly be a semi-final or a World Cup final, it’s a great opponent,” said De La Fuente at a press conference on the eve of the match.
“We know the importance (of the game) for us to improve. When you face an opponent like Brazil there is more focus, more attention, and we want to live up to everything that is generated around a game like this”, added the coach.
💪🏻🇧🇷 One more training session and one day less until the match against Canarinha.#VamosEspaña | #EURO2024 pic.twitter.com/59xGAdYWDP
— Spanish Men’s Soccer Team (@SEFutbol) March 25, 2024
The match against Brazil is an opportunity for the Spanish team to put behind them the defeat to Colombia (1-0) in a friendly last Thursday, at the Olympic Stadium in London.
“Defeats are painful, but they also teach, so we are happy and draw positive conclusions from this game,” said De La Fuente.
ONE IS ALREADY, FOCUS ON THE NEXT! 💪🎯
The day after the victory against England, the Brazilian team began preparations to face Spain, on Tuesday (26), at the Santiago Bernabéu, in Madrid! 🇧🇷🇪🇸
📸: Rafael Ribeiro/CBF pic.twitter.com/kD97dUxIKX
— CBF Futebol (@CBF_Futebol) March 24, 2024
The duel against the Seleção is also part of a campaign against racism, following the insults received by striker Vinícius Júnior in Spain, especially last season. The player of Real Madrid will be the center of attention and De La Fuente was full of praise for the Brazilian.
“He’s a world leader, an exceptional player. He’s among the best in the world, for sure. He’s outstanding,” said the Spanish coach, who also highlighted Endrick’s good form, but asked for his feet on the ground in relation to the young striker, who is on his way to Real Madrid.
“He’s a 17-year-old player, a very good player, as we also have, but you have to give it time and, above all, be very cautious,” said De La Fuente. “To think that he could be Pelé’s replacement is to put a lot of pressure, create stress, and a demand for which he may not be prepared or mature”, he stressed.
“That’s why I’m in favor of him taking it easy, developing his training process, and the time will come for him to be really demanded”, explained the coach. De La Fuente revealed that Spain will not have a specific marking plan for Vini Jr. because “all of Brazil’s players worry us.”
“Our planning is to think about our strengths. In the defensive aspect, try to avoid and control the conditions of the opponents, the power of Vinícius. We will try to highlight our strength more to be the team that will take the initiative”, he explained.
Source: Gazetaesportiva
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