“I continue to think that there is no better team than Spain”, assured this Thursday the coach of ‘La Roja’, Luis de la Fuente, after having secured qualification for the round of 16 of the Euro Cup 2024 with a 1-0 victory over Italy, in a match in which their team showed great football.
“We don’t have to lose our heads, in the knockout stages games are decided in detail. It was a day to score more goals, but we have to continue working in the same way. There is no one better than us, we have to continue working with this conviction “, said the coach during a press conference.
“I’m delighted, proud of the result, of having beaten the last European champion. But also of the way of winning, although we know it’s very difficult. Your opponents are starting to get to know you… But I can’t ignore my feeling either. I I said when I arrived that there is no better team than us”, he added.
A few minutes earlier, the Italian coach, Luciano Spalletti, attributed their superiority to the better physical condition of the Spaniards.
De la Fuente does not share his colleague’s opinion: “Football is physical, technical and tactical. I think that in all aspects of football we were superior. Italy was dwarfed by the successes and virtues of Spain. We have the opportunity to continue improving, but with your feet on the ground.”
🇪🇸 Spain through to the round of 16 as group winners 👏#EURO2024 | #SPEAK pic.twitter.com/BDj2p5N1nu
— UEFA EURO 2024 (@EURO2024) June 20, 2024
The coach, who replaced Luis Enrique after Qatar’s elimination in the round of 16 of the World Cup on penalties against Morocco, classified the duel against Italy as “the best” of the 17 in which he led Spain.
With qualification for the round of 16 guaranteed, Spain will face Albania in the third round.
“I’m going to give other great players who didn’t participate the opportunity to show that they’re as good as those who are playing. We’ll try to save money and do justice to those who deserve it in training. But we’re going to put a very powerful and high-level team on the field,” he said. he.
Finally, he denied that the praise will affect his players.
“I know what this team is made of, I know how they will behave. We haven’t done anything yet. It’s a very important result, but tomorrow football hits you and you go to the ground. Out of prudence and humility, we will continue, we will maintain the balance and we won’t lose our heads with praise”, he concluded.
His Majesty the King congratulates the players of the @SEFutbol after their victory against Italy.
Felipe VI visited the National Team locker room after the match and received a t-shirt from President Pedro Rocha.
ℹ️ https://t.co/iZNLn3zG74#VamosEspaña | #EURO2024 pic.twitter.com/lE8B53t26E
— Spanish Men’s Soccer Team (@SEFutbol) June 20, 2024
Source: Gazetaesportiva
Kingston is an accomplished author and journalist, known for his in-depth and engaging writing on sports. He currently works as a writer at 247 News Agency, where he has established himself as a respected voice in the sports industry.
