Haaland injured and will not take part in the Spanish team’s era De la Fuente premiere
Dani Ceballos, a Madrid midfielder and a key piece for the Spanish national team, addressed his ongoing rivalry with Gavi after their clash last Sunday. The duo recently reunited at Ciudad del Fútbol in Las Rozas, where they spoke about their competitive nature and how it shapes their performances for both club and country. The conversation, shared with OKDiario, offered insight into the dynamics on and off the pitch as Spain prepares for the upcoming fixtures.
“There is no problem with Gavi. We both push hard and bring everything to every match. We fight for our spots, and that intensity is what the fans want to see from us on the field,” Ceballos said. He stressed that the rivalry is healthy and driven by a mutual commitment to the team’s success. [Source attribution: OKDiario]
Yet the midfielder did not shy away from the recent middle-field incident that sparked debate. He described the moment as fast-paced and felt that a red card was justified, even if the VAR review did not overturn the decision. “It happened in the blink of an eye. It was a tough moment and the red card felt deserved to me,” he commented. He also noted mixed opinions on VAR’s role, suggesting it should not dominate every moment of every game. [Source attribution: OKDiario]
Accepting a disallowed target
Commenting on relationships within the squad, Ceballos offered a candid take on the controversy surrounding an offside decision. He supported the move toward semi-automatic offside technology and argued that a tiny margin, perhaps an inch or two on the line, could help referees determine offside more accurately without compromising the flow of the match. The remarks came in the context of ongoing debates sparked by a recent Barcelona offside incident. [Source attribution: OKDiario]
As Spain looks ahead, Ceballos and Gavi are expected to line up together in midfield for the upcoming qualifier against Norway on Saturday. The pairing could anchor the middle of the park as Luis de la Fuente’s side continues its preparation for the 2024 Euro Cup in Germany. The team also remains focused on the domestic calendar, with the King’s Cup semi-final second leg at Spotify Camp Nou looming on April 5. [Source attribution: OKDiario]
In the broader context of national-team development, the conversations at Las Rozas reflect a pressing theme for Spanish football: balancing intense competition with unity and shared purpose. The players acknowledge that rivalry can sharpen performance, but they also emphasize the common goal of delivering results for the national team.