After the Spanish men's soccer team advanced to the Olympic men's soccer final with a 2-1 comeback against Morocco thanks to goals from Fermín and Juanlu, manager Deña commented in detail on his team's performance in a post-game interview and provided insight into a number of key points in the match.
Opponent Morocco: Strong team style, high fighting spirit
Denia first recognized the strength of the Moroccan team, he said: "Morocco is a high-level team, they scored four goals against the United States in the previous game, showing the style of the African champions. Their players are full of fighting spirit, and they have put out a set of attack-oriented formation, which has created a lot of trouble for us. But fortunately, our players were able to play their best in the face of adversity and managed to turn the score around. I would like to congratulate the Moroccan team for their performance, they are indeed a worthy opponent."
Halftime adjustments: stick to yourself and clarify your thinking
Talking about the tactical deployment at halftime, Denia revealed, "I told the players to stick to themselves and not to be affected by the opponent's tempo. At the same time, I gave some of my thoughts and suggestions for the game. But it is the players who really execute these tactics, they are very good and can quickly understand and implement my intentions. We, the coaching staff, can only provide solutions, but the real executors are the players."
Team power: 22 people with one heart, building the foundation of victory together
Emphasizing the importance of the team, Denia said, "We have 22 very good players and everyone contributes to the team. In this kind of high-intensity tournament, with a game in two or three days and temperatures of up to 30 degrees, it is a great test of fitness and willpower for the players. But our players knew that everyone was very important and they supported and encouraged each other to accomplish this difficult task. This unity was the key to us being able to turn Morocco around and reach the final."
Celebratory moments: releasing tension and sharing joy
When asked about his celebration after the final whistle, Denia could not hide his inner excitement: "Allow me to be happy now and then. At that moment, all my tension was released. I am happy for the whole team - the players, the coaching staff and all those who support us. We are indeed a family that loves each other, and I am really happy for all of us to be able to experience such a moment and achieve such a result together."
Self-reflection: Improving the start and sprinting for the gold medal
Despite the victory, Denia did not forget to self-criticize and reflect. He said, "What I want to improve on is playing a good opening game. In future matches, we need to improve our tactics and detailing in the opening phase to ensure we can get into the game faster and take the initiative. Only then will we be able to hit the gold medal with more confidence."
Congratulations to the man of honor: Juan Lu, you are our pride!
Finally, Denia made a special mention of goal-scorer Juanlu: "I told him to celebrate! This is an honor you deserve. I'm proud of you and I'm proud of you." These words are not only a recognition of Juanlu's individual performance, but also a recognition and encouragement of the entire team's hard work.
