20.01 – Luis de la Fuente in a few minutes at the press conference. The technical commissioner of Spain will analyze from the press room of the Veltins-Arena in Gelsenkirchen the match against Italy valid for group B which will start tomorrow evening at 9.00 pm.
8.37pm – The press conference begins.
Will the Nacho-Le Normand couple be proposed again?
“Yes, I am very happy with the performance of all the players who played against Croatia, clearly also with the training sessions and the way the other players trained. All four central defenders showed me that they are of the highest level , I’m in very good shape and any of these four could take the field.”
In the event of a victory tomorrow, Spain would already be certain of first place but even a draw would bring them closer to the round of 16. Will you play to win or to draw?
“No, without a shadow of a doubt we want to win the match, it is the most important match and this is the match I’m thinking about. We try to think match after match, but it is certainly a very important challenge for us. We always take to the pitch to obtain the maximum, always to win, I wouldn’t know how to play for another result.”
What do you like most about Italy?
“It’s a national team that is very similar to ours, Italy has changed since Spalletti was there, there are many very young players. We also played against them during the European Championship, they have many quality players on the level individual and also experienced players. It will be a bit like looking in the mirror. We are growing as a team, we are trying to work cohesively, they also have important individuals and it will be a very high level and balanced match.”
How is Rodri? How much will he be affected by the yellow card against Croatia?
“We’ll see how the match goes, we want to have the strongest team on the pitch. It goes without saying how important Rodri is for us, he’s very important. An alternative could be envisaged but we haven’t talked about it, we have to do everything we can to beat an opponent of value. He is fine, he is available like everyone else.
Is Spain among the teams that have played best so far?
“I don’t know the opinions of others, so far all the opinions have been positive but there is always room for improvement. We need to continue to grow, take steps forward. But it’s not just a single match: this is a tournament very long, it’s a marathon. France, Germany, Italy, England or Portugal are all teams with great potential, it doesn’t matter how they played on the first day. Let’s try to stay humble, we will continue to work to grow “.
In this tournament for the first time we saw a more vertical Spain
“We always try to be superior to our opponents and we have different players to adapt to different registers. You have to be able to recognize the qualities of your players, there is a philosophy and an idea of the game. We want to manage ball possession and make combinations but football has changed, we focus much more on these quick transitions, we want to attack much faster. It’s not a different style, we just want to create a style that allows us to win.”
What did you feel after watching the match against Croatia again?
“We carried out the post-match analysis with great tranquility and this gives you a different starting point compared to what you can see from the bench. I already left the pitch with a good feeling, but we made different reflections and this allows us to continue to grow. We can improve everywhere, we have to play better and better because there is so much room for growth.”
What do you expect from Pedri?
“He is growing training after training. In the past I said he had to find himself and that is what he is doing, we need a Pedri with a lot of self-esteem. He is one of the strongest footballers in the world, he is a great footballer who we admired a lot and I believe that will prove it again.”
Why did you choose this approach to this European Championship?
“They are thoughtful, calculated decisions. The opponents and the needs of your team are analyzed: each decision is made with criteria, for different reasons. Tomorrow I will decide whether or not to change the full-backs, but I can guarantee you that this type of decision is taken only after an in-depth analysis of the team”.
Spalletti spoke very highly of you. Is Spain more appreciated abroad than at home?
“Spalletti is a great coach. I have always respected our players and I have always said that I would have liked to have these players available. Fabian, for example, is a world-class player, he has everything to be a champion. He has enormous potential, ‘he has shown in all his clubs and also in the national team. I can count on him, he is one of us, he is one of us. Sometimes it is difficult to praise players in Spain, we usually value those who come from abroad more but some of our people are truly world class.”
What are the chances of winning tomorrow?
“Italy is always very strong in all international competitions, I have challenged them many times and tomorrow’s match will be a sort of classic, it could easily be the final of a European Championship or a World Cup. Italy has a good football and media culture around the sport, excellent players, Italy is made to be competitive at this level. Tomorrow there will be a wonderful show and we will try to give our best to try to win the match.”
Will Morata play?
“It could be his turn or someone else’s turn, tomorrow we will review our strategy.”
Spalletti said his team will dress like Armani but are ready to get dirty. What Italy do you expect tomorrow?
“Just as I defend Spanish football, I also defend Spanish fashion. I am very happy with our sponsors and I think they are all very ready thanks to the quality of our players. We too are willing to play in the mud if necessary: we know what match that will be tomorrow, we have to be at a similar level of intensity otherwise there will be no match. To be competitive against Italy we will need the best version of ourselves.”
9.12pm – Press conference concluded.
