20.06 – With the coach de la Fuente, there will be the midfielder Fabian Ruiz in a press conference to analyze Spain-Italy, a match valid for group B of Euro 2024.
8.58pm – The press conference begins.
What name should you have to be considered a great footballer?
“My name is Fabian, I’m proud of my name and the fact of being Spanish.”
You’ve met Spalletti, what do you expect from him? Did you regret having only seen the Scudetto from a distance?
“I think the coach has made an excellent study of Spalletti, I didn’t have to say anything. We know the strong coach he is, he wants to press high and steal the ball. I expect the usual Italy, strong and aggressive, with a good job from the ball. It will be a very difficult match, we will have to be concentrated from the first minute. For Napoli I was very happy for the Scudetto victory, I have many friends there and I feel great affection for that reality the Scudetto”.
What would winning the European Championship mean to you?
“We are in an excellent moment of form, we will fight for this fourth continental success. At the end of the tournament we hope to be present to lift the trophy.”
How have you improved to continue to make an impact as a starter?
“Luis Enrique and de la Fuente are similar, they want to have ball possession and press aggressively. In recent months with Luis Enrique I haven’t managed to get called up to the national team, but I’m very happy with him at PSG. De la Fuente here he has always placed great trust in me, I am very grateful and grateful to him.”
Do you think Spain can be considered one of the big favorites for the final victory?
“I don’t know if we are among the favourites, we don’t see ourselves as favorites but we have a lot of confidence in our abilities. We have the potential to go all the way, on the pitch we will do everything to make this dream come true. It won’t be easy , there are many strong teams but we will do everything we can to try to get to the end.”
How is Yamal as a teammate?
“The whole world knows what a great footballer he is. He is only 16 years old, even if you can’t see it on the pitch. He is one of the strengths of this team, he is a very vertical player and very strong one-on-one. Let’s hope tomorrow can play a great match.”
Italy is the reigning champion team and among the favourites. How do you see this Italian national team?
“We know what players Italy has, we know that it is always very competitive in every tournament and that it will be a very tough match. It has very important players, a lot of quality and it will be a very balanced match. It is also very strong on a tactical level, Spalletti likes to have control of the game. Will it be a very balanced match? Will I be able to say it towards the end of the tournament?
There is a lot of talk about the evolution of the style of Spanish football. Do you agree?
“The style is similar, we like ball possession. Spain is characterized by quality players who want the ball, but our coach insists on the fact that he wants to play vertically to reach the opponent’s area more quickly. We try this a lot in training and every time we get close to the penalty area we try to shoot.”
Albania’s draw paved the way a bit
“We don’t look at the others much, we try to win every match. Every time we go on the pitch we want to win, we don’t look at the others. It’s important to give our all on the pitch and bring home the three points to get through to the next round” .
What emotion did you feel after the goal against Spain in the European Championship?
“Every time I wear this shirt I feel a special feeling, I have received so many messages from my loved ones and friends. I was very happy with the goal for my country in such an important tournament, I hope it isn’t the last.”
Given your move to Napoli, do you feel anything different in the match against Italy?
“Playing against Italy and against an Italian team is special for me, I love that country. It’s a special match for me, I will play against former teammates and also against a coach I worked with. I’m very attached to Italy , I hope I can have good memories tomorrow night after winning the challenge.”
Foreign players are valued more than our own in Spain. Is that so?
“I am very proud to be Spanish and to bear the name of Fabian Ruiz, it is important to valorise everything we have at home. We have many positive things and our players outside the Spanish borders are highly appreciated. We must not underestimate ourselves.”
9.17pm – Press conference concluded.
