He had barely directed two games with the national team and there were already doubts about his project, at least until this Thursday. The victory against Italy (2-1) allows Spain to qualify for the UEFA Nations League final, the second in a row, and reinforces the script of a Luis de la Fuente “convinced” of his work at the head of the team.
“We have never doubted ourselves. This is a process. Over time they will improve. We are convinced. We have never doubted our work (…) We are convinced that things would turn out well. I trust that with work and the perseverance in the end things work out. It’s no coincidence”, valued the coach from La Rioja.
From the source he acknowledged that “these matches are painful”, but he ended up “proud” of the work of his pupils. “The most important thing is the benefits. The game, the sacrifice… Today’s game has been a spectacle,” said the coach, who has the confidence of his players: “The message has penetrated the dressing room.”
“We want to continue working on this idea, that the players are very sure of it,” insisted De la Fuente, who described Joselu, author of the winning goal, as “a great footballer” and in general valued the quality of the selectable players. for Spain: “We are privileged. We can bring exceptional players.”
“Naturally. Things fall into place naturally,” concluded a De la Fuente who made his debut on the Spanish bench with a win against Norway and raised the first doubts with the puncture at home against Scotland. Now the tables have turned and he is aiming to win Spain’s first title since Euro 2012. “He is a very tough opponent,” he said of his rival Croatia on Sunday.
