Luis de la Fuente: “I can afford to put Joselu on as a substitute”

Ludovika of Izvor It is not related to any drawing, but to the philosophy of the game that goes through verticality and prominence with the ball. “I’m not from the system. The only thing I feel attached to is the idea, the model. The system does not create any stress for me”, he asserted in the preview of the match that will be played Spain with Scotland in Hampden Park, which corresponds to the second day of the qualifying phase for euro cup in germany.

“A very difficult and important match against a powerful opponent with very good players. You have to see only the composition of the selected players, with players who play in different leagues, especially in the Premier, at a high level,” said the Spanish coach ahead of the meeting with tartan army, a “very intense and aggressive” team developing a “very high dynamic”, for which he predicted a close match because, he reminded, “at the international level equality is maximum” and “there is no small rival”. “We’ve already seen Norway, we know Scotland and it won’t be easy for any opponent in this group,” he insisted.

«Scottish football has come a long way and it is no longer a classic direct game. They have a very elaborate game, they are able to get into circulation and they have good players on the wings and in the finish. We are ready to face all scenarios and situations. In all lines we have players who dominate the aerial game, but we will try to be dominant and suffer more than us, not only in positional attacks, but also in breaks,” said the La Rioja man.

As for the eleven he will have on Tuesday at Hampden Park, he hid the cards and did not get wet about the possible ownership of Josel, decisive as a revolver in La Rosaleda with a double to seal victory against Norway. “You have to know how to interpret moments in which players can be important. There are players who can be decisive at certain times and Joselu understood that perfectly. But I can afford to put it in as a replacement“, he explained.

De la Fuente was satisfied with the picture that the Spanish team offered last Saturday against Norway in La Rosaleda. “When we analyze the matches, the impression is generally better than on the field itself. I am very critical on the field. We always have to improve and we will do that because the players are very good. But there are more positive aspects, which are close to the idea we want, and that makes us very optimistic,” said the coach. “I saw a dedicated, involved and excited team,” claims the one from Haro, who sees his pupils connecting with each other, which gives him gives “a lot of peace”.

Unlike its predecessor Luis Enrique The new Spanish coach admits that he is aware of the media’s evaluations and that he respects them, but remains faithful to his principles. “I have a good habit of reading and listening to almost everything, and I agree with almost everything. The most important thing is that I know which way we have to go. We are very strong. We have to strengthen that football idea. “Criticism will not change me when making decisions,” he emphasized.

“Give me Gavi”

In this connection, he defended the work of Jago Aspas before Norway. “We tried to make him our midfielder. At the beginning it was 4-2-3-1. Iago is very versatile, he is a centre-forward with other characteristics who can play more forward, drop down and receive further. What we were looking for was to use those spaces starting from the back positions to try to surprise and arrive from the second row. I’m happy, although there were times when it was difficult for us to find him. I am delighted with him, especially because of his attitude,” he said about the Celta footballer.

He also broke the spear for Gavi, whose impetus can sometimes play him with rivals, but on which De la Fuente prefers to emphasize the positive aspect. “He is a fantastic player who is in the process of maturing. This gives us the ability to play in different ways. His maturity will allow him to deal with some behaviors that may not be of much benefit to the team. That’s something we talked about. One of his virtues is his courage, his will and his genius. Give me Gavi before some other type of football player. I still have the desire and effort he gives, it’s contagious,” he said of the young Barcelona player.