Thanks to Baena's goal, Spain defeated Uruguay 1-0 in the final round of the World Cup group stage, securing first place in the group. Head coach De la Fuente commented on the team's performance after the match.
On Friday, you said that you admired Bielsa. Were you disappointed with Uruguay's approach?
I still admire Bielsa. The game is played by the players, and we knew from early on that this would be a tough test, not a match in which we would feel comfortable, which is why we needed good officiating. It was a game played at the limit, with intense battles, and we performed as we should have. Officiating a game is difficult, which is why VAR is there to assist. I hope we can play some normal games, where ball possession and the standard of fouls are more in line with what we're used to. We focus on the competitive aspects, and I don't want to say too much about the referees. The game itself gives me enough to worry about; as for the rest, everyone has their own responsibilities.
To win the World Cup, do you need to win these high-intensity, confrontational matches?
Absolutely. My players also performed well in the physical battles. We have to play these kinds of games because we know similar situations may arise later. In a high-intensity match, we remained very calm and did not allow the opponent to provoke us into making mistakes.
What are your thoughts on advancing as group winners?
This team’s work deserves praise. We are not used to playing these kinds of games, but we performed very well. The upcoming matches will be tougher, but I believe this team is very reliable. The team concedes few goals and is capable of scoring many, which is commendable. They surprise me every day. This game was completely different from our usual style of play, but we knew how to handle it.
The wingers haven't fully recovered physically. Will you adjust your tactics?
Our overall approach won't change, but we might move some players into those positions. We are just a bit short-handed in that area.
What is the difference between using Pedri, Olmo, or Merino as an attacking midfielder?
We have multiple options, and everyone is excellent and capable of adapting perfectly to different positions. Changes to the lineup also depend on the opponent.
What happened to Nico?
He had slight discomfort, possibly due to overload or fatigue. But more concerning is Yeremi Pino's injury; he is in a lot of pain and may not be able to play in this World Cup. He may have injured his shoulder or collarbone. We will examine him tomorrow to determine the extent of the injury. He has suffered a lot and made a great effort; he is very brave.
The team's statistics are almost identical to those from the European Championship: 5 goals scored, 0 conceded. But does it feel the same as it did back then?
I have absolute faith in this team. I know the demands of the World Cup are different from those of the European Championship; there are opponents with different characteristics here, and we are starting from a different point. But I have complete trust in this team. I remember that we have been unbeaten for 34 games, breaking Brazil's record, which shows that this team wants to reach the highest level, and I think we are on the right track.
Has the team reached the expected level?
I am very demanding, and so are the players, but we are in good form and can still improve. We are where we want to be, and now we need to recover well. The next game will be different, and we will strive to perform at our best.
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