As the Olympic men's soccer group stage is about to kick off, Spain's national Olympic team head coach Santi Denia gave an interview to the media after the team's last training session just before 21:00 GMT on July 24, expressing his expectations and confidence for the upcoming first match against Uzbekistan.
Denia first emphasized the high level of competition and importance of the Olympic men's football tournament, which he described as a "mini World Cup", noting that the teams are the winners, runners-up and third-placed finishers from each continent, and that each match will therefore be a serious test of strength and mental fitness. He said that the team has been fully prepared for the tournament, and with 23 days of intensive training and a warm-up match, the players can't wait to get out on the field and show their strength.
When talking about the upcoming opponent Uzbekistan, Denia showed some caution and respect. He pointed out that although the Uzbekistan team mainly consists of players from the domestic league, they have already played a lot of matches under the guidance of the same coach, and their tacit understanding and cooperation with each other should not be underestimated. In particular, the warm-up match between the two teams last October left a deep impression on Denia, who reminded the players to be prepared for difficult matches and try to play to their strengths.
At the same time, Denia also mentioned the Spanish adult national team, which has just won the European Cup in Germany, and said that it is a source of pride and motivation for the team. In particular, the team's two Euro champions, Baena and Fermín, have added more confidence and fighting spirit to the team. Deña praised both players for their fighting spirit and is looking forward to showing their strength and experience at the Olympics.
However, Denia is also conscious of the fact that the success of the adult team cannot be directly copied to the National Olympic team. He emphasized that every team has its own characteristics and style, and the key is to play like a team and work together in the same direction. While formulating the game plan, he also focused on cultivating tacit understanding and team spirit among the players, hoping that the team can achieve excellent results in the Olympic Games.
