De la Fuente’s Spain break the bowler: overs, goals and high pressure

The players themselves praised the work of De la Fuente and his technical team, with their captain Álvaro Morata saying: “It takes time to build things and it’s about doing as much as possible as a team. “De la Fuente gives great confidence to all the players to create blocks and I would like him to continue with the national team after the European Cup.”

Candidate or favorite in the European Cup?

The numbers provide a clear portrait of this new team, which, as Morata warned, began “a new cycle of victories” with the conquest of the Nations League.” Cypriot coach Temuri Ketsbaia said that his team’s defeat in Limassol (1-3) last Thursday He then pointed this out. “Spain is the best team in the world, not in Europe. I think they have something better than the team from 2008 to 2012. because he uses tapes a lot. “He is the number one favorite for the European Cup.” Hypothesis confirmed by Georgian coach, former French winger Willy Sagnol: “Spain are the best team in Europe and the favorites to win the European Cup.”

This use of the wings and the verticality of the attackers is the main difference between Luis De la Fuente’s Spain and Luis Enrique’s Spain. The team scored 25 goals in this division, averaging more than three goals per game. 8 of these goals came from headers, none from penalties, one from an own goal and all after 102 shots, 48 ​​from between the posts and five from the goal.

Less passing, more shots and more goals

Spain recovers and quickly explores the opposite area with their wingers to score 25 goals making them the third highest scoring team in the rankings They are behind Portugal, which added 36 points to its 10 wins. France scored 27 points (14 against Gibraltar in the last match) to help them win all their matches; Belgium 22, England and Switzerland 21, Denmark 19 or Italy 16 (some playing their last match tonight). AND At individual level, Lukaku (14), Cristiano Ronaldo (10), Mbappé (9), Kane (8), Hojlund and McTominay (7), Amdouni, Haaland. Spain, a TEAM as De la Fuente likes to say, is solid even when it comes to scoring goals; Joselu (5), Morata (4), Ferran (3) share this responsibility. While Dani Olmo, Gavi and Lamine scored two goals, Álex Baena, Merino, Sancet, Oyarzabal, Le Normand and Nico Williams were also added. While Nico stood out with three assists, Carvajal, Fabián and Joselu had two assists each. Although it is a direct team, the selection De la Fuente monopolized possession with an average of 63% of the line-up (up to 72% with Luis Enrique). This allowed him to complete an average of 692 passes per game. He made one shot every 63 passes as he surpassed 100 before surpassing his predecessor in shots.

On the defensive side, they are a team that stands out with their pressure after a defeat, which causes them to recover many balls in the opponent’s field. Spain, which received 67 fouls and made only 36 fouls, allowed only 34 shots to its opponents. Because it couldn’t have been any other way, the most senior player, Manchester City midfielder Rodri, made amends on 48 occasions, averaging eight recoveries per game, while Laporte made six recoveries. In the disciplinary section, Spain received 16 yellow cards.

De la Fuente called up 44 players: Kepa Arrizabalaga, Marco Asensio, Iago Aspas, Azpilicueta, Álex Baena, Balde, Carvajal, Ceballos, Ansu Fati, Nacho, Aleix García, David García, Fran García, Gayá, Grimaldo, Rodri, Borja Iglesias, Laporte, Le Normand, Íñigo Martínez , Merinos, Morata, Navas, Dani Olmo, Oyarzabal, Pedraza, Yeremy Pino, Pedro Porro, Gavi, David Raya, Remiro, Riquelme, Abel Ruiz, Fabián, Sancet, Joselu, Unai Simón, Robert Sánchez, Ferran Torres, Pau Torres, Nico Williams, Lamine Yamal, Bryan Zaragoza and Martín Zubimendi. 44 football players, including 5 goalkeepers, 15 defenders, 24 midfielders and forwards. “We are on the way to building a great team, a great team,” De la Fuente said. Players recognize an idea and style. “There is still work to be done, but the involvement and commitment of the players is outstanding.”

From 4-2-3-1 fetish to 4-1-4-1 in defense

The idea of ​​attacking play involves a flexible tactical system focusing on 4-2-3-1, ranging up to 4-3-3, which is the coach’s favorite formation. Unai Simón’s feet are very important when the ball leaves his hands. The centre-backs are opening up, the full-backs are giving way in the lanes and both Rodri and the infielders and even the wingers are rushing to help get out of the game. A team where the coach wants pace and verticality from three quarters onwards to generate the volume of attacking play. A team that can play in the spaces or dominate the area when the opponent approaches, with the presence of forwards with the presence of Joselu or Morata and the inclusion of forwards and substitutes in the second line. To achieve this, De la Fuente revived the winger figure with players such as Nico Williams, Yeremi Pino, Lamine Yamal, Dani Olmo, Rodrigo Riquelme and Bryan Zaragoza.

When it comes to defense 4-2-3-1 usually becomes 4-1-4-1 and Morata or Joselupresses high and Rodri gets in front of the defence.. At the back, De la Fuente focused on providing consistency which led to them winning the Nations League thanks to good defensive performance; He showed that he is strong up front, especially against Georgia and Cyprus, but he also knows how to score goals. He uses most of his chances against stronger opponents such as Italy or Norway.

Most of the group that will make the list Germany European Cup He is among the 44 players, many of whom have already played for De la Fuente in the U-19 and U-21 teams. He combines experienced players like Navas or Carvajal with experienced players who offer more than just media visibility. A good combination is clearly visible in the captains’ group: Morata, Carvajal, Navas and Rodri. Contrasting football players with a dazzling past, but discreet in their statements and far from the noise of social networks.