Spain manager Luis de la Fuente says he has no regrets over his changes during the latter stages of their win over Germany in the Euro 2024 quarter-finals. He was criticised for being too conservative in the latter stages of the game, with the hosts grabbing a late equaliser after a period of prolonged pressure.
La Roja will take on France in another test for a young side against a vastly experienced Didier Deschamps outfit. Spain have unanimously been crowned as the side playing the best football so far, but De la Fuente told Cadena Cope that they had plenty to work on for the semi-finals.
“We have to improve in everything, you can always do so. We have to press better, we have to free ourselves more and we have to ensure we are more aware and vigilant defensively because with our way of playing, we expose ourselves a lot. And in the offensive phase we must be more effective, take advantage of the opportunities we have and not lose balls to favour the rivals’ counterattack.”
In the final half hour, de la Fuente brought off Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams for Ferran Torres and Mikel Merino, favouring a more defensive approach. While the latter scored the winner, de la Fuente was criticised in Spain for allowing Germany to come onto them with a more conservative approach.
“Yes. We tend to become fond of some players and sometimes it seems that it is an aberration to replace them. We, with the changes, seek to go beyond the immediate. Knowing Germany, what we sought was more freshness, with players who worked more defensively. We didn’t want to wear down Nico Williams and Lamine Yamal and have no chance of winning. Furthermore, we were winning and then the players who came out had a lot of influence on the final result.”
De la Fuente is also in his first major tournament as senior manager, although he has plenty of experience of tournaments as under-19 and under-21 coach. His mettle will be tested against the most experienced international manager in the competition in Deschamps, who has received no shortage of criticism, but also has his side in a third semi-final out of their last four major tournaments.
Michiey
0
fool, shebi nah because it turned out to your favor. if to sey you loose, nah apology for be the order of the day
lol nah only your mama fit tell you truth 🤣
Dmoney111
0
see this werey wey no get papa.
Weyrey I get papa, I no know about you
Michiey
0
Ask your papa
see this werey wey no get papa.
Dmoney111
0
who be this one?
Ask your papa
boyadeimo
0
I'm
jojo88
0
I doubt u watched the world cup, cus argentina didn’t play defensive football
Really...Sees who's mouth this coming from, it's isn't surprising 😏
meebklmu
1
current coach of Chelsea fc
okikiajao85
0
The pity aspect part is that, in all this international tournament, those that plays ugly are d one that went away with d trophy...Check ur history from France winning d world cup back to Argentina & to Italy (Euro)😜so sorry if I break ur heart, third place isn't a bad idea though 👍
I doubt u watched the world cup, cus argentina didn’t play defensive football
Rikbiklmu
1
Yamal and Nico should stay more in the game to force Germany to be on the defensive. The best defense is the attack. You, luckily, get away with it, but it wasn't a smart tactic.
jojo88
0
The pity aspect part is that, in all this international tournament, those that plays ugly are d one that went away with d trophy...Check ur history from France winning d world cup back to Argentina & to Italy (Euro)😜so sorry if I break ur heart, third place isn't a bad idea though 👍
C13999
0
Luis De la Fuente, you reached your maximum Now is the time you get knocked out You have no chance up against France 🇫🇷 Spain 🇪🇸 out France 🇫🇷 through
that aw football works dummy
coteknos
1
Overplaying young players is risking their future
joacknsu
0
The decision to substitute both of your best players so early wasn't a good one. You got away with it, but next time don't try such.
he was just lucky
todacdkmoz
0
Spain's tactical flexibility under Luis de la Fuente has been the key to their emergence as the outstanding team at Euro 2024, believes Rodri. Some felt Spain could struggle after being drawn with Italy, Croatia and Albania in Group B, but they won all three group games and have continued to impress since then. They thrashed Georgia 4-1 in the last 16 before overcoming hosts Germany 2-1 in extra time in the quarter-finals, teeing up Tuesday's semi-final meeting with France. The Opta supercomputer makes France (30%) and Spain (30%) favourites to lift the trophy on Sunday, ahead of England (23%) and the Netherlands (16%) on the other side of the draw. Many believe Spain have played the best football at the tournament, and they lead all teams in Germany for expected goals (10.3 xG), shots (76) and shots on target (36). However, La Roja only rank third for their average possession share (57%), behind Portugal (66%) and Germany (62%), with England joining those two teams in completing more passes than De la Fuente's men. Rodri believes being prepared to sacrifice the country's traditional 'Tika-Taka' ideals against better opponents has been a key factor in their success this year. "You have to know what you're facing, what you can and can't do. That's what we have done best so far, we've played different teams and understood," he told The Guardian. "We've played a lot of teams that are good collectively: Italy, Croatia, Germany, teams that like to have the ball like we do, where we have had to understand and interpret, to accept that there are moments we won't have it. "In fact, we had less possession than some opponents. There were moments when we had to suffer, resist, be together. "It's important to see those moments, to understand them. Knocking out the hosts, Germany, is one of the hardest things there could be. In the end, we did it." The Manchester City star believes being prepared to suffer without the ball will also be key against pre-tournament favourites France, saying: "We have to approach this with the same mentality: play like a big team with the ball and a small team without it. "They're very strong physically, hard to overcome, great individuals. They play the way they want to play." Spain suffered a surprise defeat to Scotland early in their qualification campaign, but Rodri always had faith former under-21 boss De la Fuente would get things right. "I always had a lot of confidence in this group. I knew the coach and I was convinced that with work and effort we would get it right," he said. "He understood that the team needed time to assimilate the ideas, two or three key concepts. Spain and City are similar philosophies but you adapt to the coach. "Here we try to be a bit more vertical, without so much possession, but with enough possession to do damage to the opponents."
[image]
I tire oooooo
Michiey
0
And so. At least they won. Make dem jam your Country for field if them no destroy am
who be this one?
bawelrty
5
The decision to substitute both of your best players so early wasn't a good one. You got away with it, but next time don't try such.
bihbdiln
2
WHATEVER YOU DO, THERE WILL ALWAYS BE PEOPLE WHO COMPLAIN.... IF HE DIDN'T MAKE ANY CHANGES AND SPAIN WENT ON TO LOSE,THEY WOULD CRUCIFY HIM FOR LEAVING TIRED TEENAGERS ON THE PITCH WHEN HE HAD ARRAY OF STARS ON THE BENCH.
vuaabdipu
1
Luis De la Fuente, you reached your maximum Now is the time you get knocked out You have no chance up against France 🇫🇷 Spain 🇪🇸 out France 🇫🇷 through
Dmoney111
0
We need to win the final that’s all we demand from you. If u want to play Yamal as goolie that’s not our problem. Just win the final
lol
Dmoney111
0
fool, shebi nah because it turned out to your favor. if to sey you loose, nah apology for be the order of the day
And so. At least they won. Make dem jam your Country for field if them no destroy am
Dmoney111
0
Spain's tactical flexibility under Luis de la Fuente has been the key to their emergence as the outstanding team at Euro 2024, believes Rodri. Some felt Spain could struggle after being drawn with Italy, Croatia and Albania in Group B, but they won all three group games and have continued to impress since then. They thrashed Georgia 4-1 in the last 16 before overcoming hosts Germany 2-1 in extra time in the quarter-finals, teeing up Tuesday's semi-final meeting with France. The Opta supercomputer makes France (30%) and Spain (30%) favourites to lift the trophy on Sunday, ahead of England (23%) and the Netherlands (16%) on the other side of the draw. Many believe Spain have played the best football at the tournament, and they lead all teams in Germany for expected goals (10.3 xG), shots (76) and shots on target (36). However, La Roja only rank third for their average possession share (57%), behind Portugal (66%) and Germany (62%), with England joining those two teams in completing more passes than De la Fuente's men. Rodri believes being prepared to sacrifice the country's traditional 'Tika-Taka' ideals against better opponents has been a key factor in their success this year. "You have to know what you're facing, what you can and can't do. That's what we have done best so far, we've played different teams and understood," he told The Guardian. "We've played a lot of teams that are good collectively: Italy, Croatia, Germany, teams that like to have the ball like we do, where we have had to understand and interpret, to accept that there are moments we won't have it. "In fact, we had less possession than some opponents. There were moments when we had to suffer, resist, be together. "It's important to see those moments, to understand them. Knocking out the hosts, Germany, is one of the hardest things there could be. In the end, we did it." The Manchester City star believes being prepared to suffer without the ball will also be key against pre-tournament favourites France, saying: "We have to approach this with the same mentality: play like a big team with the ball and a small team without it. "They're very strong physically, hard to overcome, great individuals. They play the way they want to play." Spain suffered a surprise defeat to Scotland early in their qualification campaign, but Rodri always had faith former under-21 boss De la Fuente would get things right. "I always had a lot of confidence in this group. I knew the coach and I was convinced that with work and effort we would get it right," he said. "He understood that the team needed time to assimilate the ideas, two or three key concepts. Spain and City are similar philosophies but you adapt to the coach. "Here we try to be a bit more vertical, without so much possession, but with enough possession to do damage to the opponents."
[image]
You be journalist ?
battlebots
3
Spain's tactical flexibility under Luis de la Fuente has been the key to their emergence as the outstanding team at Euro 2024, believes Rodri. Some felt Spain could struggle after being drawn with Italy, Croatia and Albania in Group B, but they won all three group games and have continued to impress since then. They thrashed Georgia 4-1 in the last 16 before overcoming hosts Germany 2-1 in extra time in the quarter-finals, teeing up Tuesday's semi-final meeting with France. The Opta supercomputer makes France (30%) and Spain (30%) favourites to lift the trophy on Sunday, ahead of England (23%) and the Netherlands (16%) on the other side of the draw. Many believe Spain have played the best football at the tournament, and they lead all teams in Germany for expected goals (10.3 xG), shots (76) and shots on target (36). However, La Roja only rank third for their average possession share (57%), behind Portugal (66%) and Germany (62%), with England joining those two teams in completing more passes than De la Fuente's men. Rodri believes being prepared to sacrifice the country's traditional 'Tika-Taka' ideals against better opponents has been a key factor in their success this year. "You have to know what you're facing, what you can and can't do. That's what we have done best so far, we've played different teams and understood," he told The Guardian. "We've played a lot of teams that are good collectively: Italy, Croatia, Germany, teams that like to have the ball like we do, where we have had to understand and interpret, to accept that there are moments we won't have it. "In fact, we had less possession than some opponents. There were moments when we had to suffer, resist, be together. "It's important to see those moments, to understand them. Knocking out the hosts, Germany, is one of the hardest things there could be. In the end, we did it." The Manchester City star believes being prepared to suffer without the ball will also be key against pre-tournament favourites France, saying: "We have to approach this with the same mentality: play like a big team with the ball and a small team without it. "They're very strong physically, hard to overcome, great individuals. They play the way they want to play." Spain suffered a surprise defeat to Scotland early in their qualification campaign, but Rodri always had faith former under-21 boss De la Fuente would get things right. "I always had a lot of confidence in this group. I knew the coach and I was convinced that with work and effort we would get it right," he said. "He understood that the team needed time to assimilate the ideas, two or three key concepts. Spain and City are similar philosophies but you adapt to the coach. "Here we try to be a bit more vertical, without so much possession, but with enough possession to do damage to the opponents."
snapsv
4
We need to win the final that’s all we demand from you. If u want to play Yamal as goolie that’s not our problem. Just win the final
Michiey
2
fool, shebi nah because it turned out to your favor. if to sey you loose, nah apology for be the order of the day