The football federation in Spain faced a high-stakes choice. Luis Enrique’s Spain, eliminated by Morocco in the round of 16 at the 2022 World Cup, left behind a mix of bright moments and unanswered questions. Renewing the squad was on the table, yet signs favoring change were clear.
Relating to
- Spain defeats Norway, where Joselu enacts a plan B
- How we covered Spain vs. Norway—from qualifiers to the Eurocup
De la Fuente: A very special sentence and dedication
The text reflects a moment when a new leadership is considered after a long spell under a familiar coach. The head of the federation weighs the options, with a report emphasizing that change could lift the team to compete at the highest levels. After four years under the previous manager, it was time to usher in a new era and adjust the nuances needed for global competition.
The road from the Eurocup to the World Cup did not meet expectations. The former coach pushed a possession-heavy 4-3-3 with a fixed core, showing clear strengths and some limitations. Assessments pointed to the need for reform that could boost confidence in younger talents like Pedri and Gavi while highlighting moments of brilliance.
Albert Luque and De la Fuente
A split occurred: Molina separated from the former manager, and Luque aligned with De la Fuente in rebuilding the national team. The plan leaned on players with roots in Spain and a fresh mindset beyond traditional football norms. The coach spoke of leveraging the depth of Spanish football and preparing for versatile options that could adapt on the field.
La Roja did not immediately embrace De la Fuente’s debut, yet his approach found favor with the strategic use of a nine at the point of attack. The Qatar 2022 World Cup fielding included Morata as the sole regional forward in certain configurations.
De la Fuente’s setup featured a double pivot with Rodri and Mikel Merino, moving to a more physical game aligned with modern football standards across Europe. The defense and goalkeeper exhibited caution in distribution, while Nacho and especially Laporte attempted long, purposeful shifts to break pressure and avoid conceding in their own half.
Necessity
Some early subtleties remained, as De la Fuente himself acknowledged. The aim is to press more effectively in the opponent’s half and to improve the fluidity of ball circulation.
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Although signs point to hope, De la Fuente’s early patterns will need time to settle. The team from La Rioja aims for a more organized style, perhaps less predictable than the Enrique era, while maintaining the edge needed to compete.
The groundwork is laid and the focus shifts to a crucial test against Scotland on Tuesday and the UEFA Nations League Final Four in June, with a tough semi-final against Italy in the Netherlands.