Spain will host Serbia in the upcoming UEFA A League fourth round match. Before the match, Spanish goalkeeper David Raya was interviewed by Radio Marca, sharing his thoughts on the match, his teammates, and his coach.
Teammates have a good rapport
Raya said that he maintains a very good relationship with his teammates, especially with the other goalkeepers. He believes that goalkeepers, as a "team within a team", perform better when they have a good relationship. This team spirit is crucial to the overall performance of the team.
Casillas is an idol.
When talking about his idols, Raya didn't hesitate to mention Casillas. He praised Casillas for what he did incredibly well for the national team and Real Madrid, being the kind of goalkeeper who barely moves throughout the game but is able to save the team at crucial moments. Casillas has always been able to step up when needed, a trait that Raya greatly appreciates.
Enrique and Arteta's personalities
Regarding Spanish manager Enrique and former Arsenal boss Arteta, Raya believes that both of them show strong personalities when they are angry. He mentioned that Arteta would not hesitate to reprimand his players when he needed to do so because sometimes players need to be woken up and it would be good for the team.
Absence of Carvajal and Rodney
Raya said that the absence of Carvajal and Rodri is a big loss for Spain. Both players are among the best in the world in their respective positions and could even win the Ballon d'Or. However, Raya emphasized more on their qualities as individuals and captains, arguing that they are very good people with experience and will inspire their teammates to be better. He praised them as two amazing people who don't even want to lose in a game of marbles.
Contribution of De La Fuente
Speaking about national team assistant coach De La Fuente, Raya said that he has done well with the team. In the locker room, De La Fuente is a happy man, very eager to win games. He did a lot of great things in his two years with the national team, including winning the UEFA Nations League and the Europa League. Raya and the team are very happy with De La Fuente's performance.
