Luis Enrique Martínez lived one of his most agonizing nights on the bench of the Spanish team in the defeat against Japan (2-1) and the pass in extremis to the round of 16. For three minutes, Spain was out of the World Cup in Qatar, as a result of the defeat against Japan, as the coach from Gijón admitted, very self-critical. “Nothing has happened, just five minutes of total lack of control, even panic. And if they had needed two more goals, they would score for us for sure,” admitted the coach.
In post-match statements to the TVE microphone, Luis Enrique made an act of contrition: “This is a World Cup and any team that has nothing to lose can win, and the Japanese have passed us like planes.”
Analyzing what happened, the technician considered that the Japanese bathroom had only been there for five minutes, the time they needed to achieve their goal and return to their usual state. “The situation has been controlled when they have returned to their game and have closed behind, they already had what they wanted, and they have managed it in the best way.”
“It’s only been five minutes, this is football, I’ve seen everything, good and bad. We’ve tried to manage, we’ve taken risks, but in the end it’s hard to find space against an opponent who defends very well,” he commented.
The Asturian coach confessed that he was hurt by how Spain finished the first phase, compared to its fabulous start against Costa Rica. “Japan deservedly go first in the group and we are second, which annoys me a lot because I would like to have finished first and won the game.”
Regarding the immediate future, the round of 16, Luis Enrique believes that the team will get up and regain their spirits. “We will mourn or mourn tonight, there is nothing to celebrate, this has to serve as a warning. Morocco will risk everything again, and we lack forcefulness to define. I have nothing to celebrate. I do not even give up and I celebrate defeats,” he said.
The coach showed his discomfort with the result, despite qualifying for the round of 16. “I can’t be happy if I lose a game. I’m not happy because we conceded two goals in five minutes and if Japan needs three, they score them. We’ve been a long way from what I would like when the game has gone crazy.”
