The national team’s flexible attack under De la Fuente: 18 attackers, 18 goals
Fermin de la Calle
To inquire which squad is being referenced? The answer is simple: the team’s path and the election plan were clarified early. A record of achievements has emerged, and a versatile approach is championed. The squad is built to strike from multiple angles, producing goals through varied styles and strategic concepts, while maintaining a solid defensive base.
Q. Which football references guide Luis de la Fuente’s approach?
A. He feels fortunate to have learned from 18 coaches with distinct styles. Each one offered lessons, and those lessons were synthesized into a single philosophy. From early days on the pitch, he identified as an attacking player, and the teams he coaches are encouraged to value attack first, yet always with balance to secure results.
He has always seen himself as an attacking player, and his teams pursue an attacking mindset with balance
Q. Who inspired him as a player and as a coach?
A. He didn’t recognize the coach he was 26 years ago. He admired English football, with icons like Liverpool and Manchester United. The evolution of Spanish football and his work with the federation shaped a new understanding. He learned to interpret the game through a global model that has brought success, and he has reinforced that same concept over time.
Q. Do he relate to the eras of Luis Aragonés and Vicente del Bosque in the federation?
A. The team’s style began to shift when Aragonés introduced a more collective approach suited to a model shared today. Del Bosque contributed to its expansion by highlighting outstanding performances. The idea has matured as time passed, helped by the contributions of those two figures, who drew out great performances from players.
Q. What about the current phase?
A. The team continues to evolve and innovate. Some players reach their peak while others are introduced, keeping a forward path. Now, after more than a decade, the idea is regaining momentum. The squad blends young talent with international experience, promising a bright future for both club and national teams.
Q. In this process, what stage is the project at?
-The real heroes are the players. Success comes from having quality footballers. Ideas and methods can only take teams so far when the players deliver on the pitch.
Q. A comparison between young talents and established stars was raised, noting a promising player who deserves a special place. How is that viewed?
A. Age or origin never guide selection. Performance matters. The coach looks to players who are ready to seize opportunities and join a journey that stretches beyond immediate results. The match against Scotland was a focal point, but a longer-term view guides decisions built on years of work with the federation.
Eleven years with the federation have taught him to look ahead and invest in players
Q. Was Scotland a measure of scrutiny, or was it a broader test?
A. The media often scrutinizes defeats, but the coach retains a steady outlook. Scotland posed a tough challenge in a daunting stadium after a brief tactical window. The team faced it with composure, learning and growing from the experience.
Q. Was the Nations League victory undervalued?
A. Not at all. The team enjoyed a shared happiness. Players, including newcomers, celebrated publicly, and fans echoed the triumph across streets and towns. The achievement received the recognition it deserved.
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Denis Iglesias
Q. After recent events around the national team and the federation, how meaningful were the wins over Georgia and Cyprus?
A. Those results reinforced the working method established since March. Against two opponents who were clearly overmatched, intensity, focus and ambition were non-negotiable. The team’s talent and desire to win are the driving forces behind continued success.
Q. You’ve coached championship teams before and know the players well. What about the group he currently relies on?
C. Creating a winning culture demands effort. The best teams earned those moments, and the coach remains demanding of himself to keep improving. The aim is to continue winning, driven by a genuine winning mentality that compounds with each victory.
Q. Do the players’ support feel unwavering?
R. It did from day one. A solid bond exists because most players have known him since youth levels. He understands them, and they trust his approach. Their backing has been evident since the first moment, and it has grown with time.
Q. Pedri has been left out due to injury. When did he first prove essential to the national team?
A. When his club duties call, the coach reaches out as injuries arise. Pedri first impressed at a young age, during a junior tournament in Macedonia, and he has always been considered a key talent.
P. Morata is undeniably at the peak of his career.
A. The team benefits from a high-caliber player who combines experience with natural talent. Morata’s maturity and leadership have elevated the group, making him central to training and strategic planning.
Morata stands out as a star in a defining moment of his career
Q. Looking ahead to the 2030 World Cup in Spain, could he remain in charge if things go well?
A. The World Cup in Spain would mean immense pride for the federation and the country. Yet the focus remains on current tasks: securing qualification for the European Championship this month and preparing for the upcoming campaign. The job is demanding, and the coach remains fully committed to the present goals while acknowledging the long-term possibilities with a clear sense of duty and ambition.
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Jordi Gil
Q. There was talk of a female coach among candidates to lead the men’s team. Does he see that as a natural progression?
A. It feels natural when candidates are prepared and educated. The belief is that everyone should have equal opportunities, a stance reinforced by family values that emphasize fairness and merit. When preparation is in place, the path should be open to everyone.
Q. What are the key lessons from the past month and a half?
R. The main objective is unity. The team needs to stay focused on football, on togetherness, and on the work ahead. What matters is solidarity and a shared purpose, now and for the future, anchored in a single vision: football first, always.