Spain coach Luis de la Fuente has dismissed any notions of his team being considered the favorites in the upcoming European Championship final against England at the Olympiastadion in Berlin. Despite impressive victories over Germany and France in the previous rounds, de la Fuente believes that his team must elevate their performance to secure a historic fourth title.
De la Fuente emphasized in a news conference that there are no clear favorites in the final match. He stressed that the competition is evenly matched, similar to their previous knockout games. The coach highlighted the importance of maintaining a high level of play without committing errors, as the outcome of the game is likely to be determined by fine margins.
Spain, who were not considered frontrunners at the start of the tournament, have been the standout team in Germany this summer. Winning all six of their matches and scoring the most goals of the tournament, de la Fuente revealed that Spain will stick to their aggressive style of play in the final. He expressed confidence in their ability to secure victory by staying true to their identity and leveraging their strengths on the field.
Historic Opportunity
A win against England would see Spain lift their fourth European Championship trophy, positioning them ahead of Germany on the all-time leaderboard. De la Fuente acknowledged the potential of the current generation of players to establish a new era of success for Spanish football. While refraining from direct comparisons to the dominant Spanish teams of 2008-2012, the coach emphasized the significance of the current squad’s achievements in shaping the future of the national team.
Spain will receive a boost ahead of the final with the return of Dani Carvajal and Robin Le Normand from suspension. However, Pedri and Ayoze Pérez will be sidelined due to injuries. In a surprising development, Barcelona midfielder Gavi, who is recovering from an ACL tear, is set to join the team in Berlin for the crucial match. De la Fuente confirmed Gavi’s participation, underlining the young talent’s integration into the squad.
Spain coach Luis de la Fuente’s pragmatic approach and focus on maintaining consistency and execution will be pivotal in the outcome of the European Championship final against England. The team’s commitment to their attacking philosophy and the infusion of fresh talent underscore their readiness to claim another title and solidify their place in football history.