Spain coach Luis de la Fuente expressed confidence in his team’s potential to make history in the Euro 2024 final against England on Sunday, describing the current generation of players as “brilliant.”
La Roja aims to secure their fourth European Championship, a feat they last accomplished 12 years ago. Led by midfield orchestrator Rodri Hernandez and dynamic young forwards Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams, Spain has captivated fans with their entertaining style throughout the tournament.
“It’s a brilliant generation, many of them have progressed successfully through youth levels, which often indicates future success,” De la Fuente told reporters ahead of the final. “We are determined to create history – we’ve already achieved historic moments on our path to the final… I believe in a great future, both in the present and beyond.”
While Spain’s previous successes featured star-studded line-ups from Barcelona and Real Madrid, the current squad is celebrated for its unity and collective strength.
Despite Spain’s impressive journey to the final compared to England’s more challenging path, De la Fuente expects a tightly contested match at the Olympiastadion, emphasizing the balance between the two teams.
“Whichever team manages to impose their strengths, whoever makes less errors (will win),” said the coach.
“But you can win a one-off game, even playing far worse (than your opponent).
“We need to have maximum concentration, not make any mistakes and take advantage of the chances we have — put them away.”
The coach thanked injured duo Pedri and Ayoze Perez, who will not be available to face England, and said Barcelona midfielder Gavi will travel to join the team for the final.
The 19-year-old missed most of the season with a knee injury but was an important player for Spain before sustaining it in November.
– ‘Incredible maturity’ –
De la Fuente said it was no challenge to keep Barcelona’s Yamal, who turned 17 on Saturday, and Athletic Bilbao’s Williams, 22, calm ahead of the biggest game of their careers.
“It’s not at all hard, they have such joy, and incredible maturity for such young players, they understand the sport very well and they are well accompanied by more experienced players,” explained the coach.
“We’re a team, it’s not about hailing individuals, and this makes us stronger.”
At the other end of the age spectrum is 38-year-old Sevilla defender Jesus Navas, who started the semi-final win over France in direct confrontation with Kylian Mbappe.
Navas won the 2010 World Cup, 2012 Euros and the 2023 Nations League with Spain and said he would love to lift another trophy with his country.
“To still be enjoying myself with my national team at 38 is incredible,” said the right-back.
“In (Spain’s golden years) we were such a close-knit group, and you could feel it. Now it’s the same, there’s an incredible group. I’m delighted by everything that’s happening to us.
“We know the excitement and hope that we all have and I hope we can win it.”
