In a key away match in the UEFA Nations League, Spain demonstrated strong team spirit and athleticism by defeating Switzerland by an astonishing 4-1 in an unfavorable situation where they were playing one man short for most of the match. After the match, head coach De La Fuente spoke highly of his team's performance and analyzed in detail several highlights of the match.
Team Spirit Triumphs
De la Fuente began by expressing his pride in the team, "I'm proud of this team, especially in a situation like this. They are more of a team than just a national team. We played a passionate game and although Lenormand's sending off put us at a disadvantage, the team showed responsibility and unity. Spain is an amazing team and what they did today is enough to be remembered."
Praise and motivation for players
Speaking about the players' performance, De La Fuente exclaimed, "I am thrilled and proud that we have made a nation identify with this group of players. They conveyed values that transcend sports because they are so united and humble." He singled out Pedri and David Raya for their outstanding play, crediting Pedri for playing a good game and Raya for stepping up to the plate and saving the team at crucial moments.
Joselu's Role and Positioning
De la Fuente spoke highly of Joselu's performance: "Joselu played his best game today since he has been with us. He works hard, trains hard, has a good attitude, and this kind of player never disappoints. However, he will play when needed as part of the team." De La Fuente explained why Joselu usually comes on late, emphasizing that it is part of the team's overall tactical arrangement.
Fabian Ruiz's steady output
De La Fuente didn't mince words about Fabian Ruiz: "Fabian is the best in the world at his position and he never disappoints. For me, his performance today was no surprise."
Ferran's Values and Recognition
Commenting on Ferran's performance, De La Fuente said, "We have no doubts about Ferran, he is a very effective player, especially on the right side. I've known him since he was 16 and today he is one of the captains of this team. He is well loved but rarely gets public recognition, but we have to value him."
Considerations for substitution tactics
Responding to the decision to replace Yamal, De La Fuente explained, "He was tired, worn out, and the turf was in poor condition and the weather was bad. We replaced him with Ferran in order to utilize Ferran's speed and dynamism to shock the opponent. At the same time, Yamal's exertion on the opponent in the first half set the stage for Ferran's second half play."
