Spain manager Luis de la Fuente discussed potential line-up changes, his pride in ‘La Roja’ reaching the last eight, and his management of Lamine Yamal to ensure a lack of goals does not morph into anxiety.
Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente insisted on Thursday that his squad heads into their World Cup quarter-final against Belgium in an “ideal situation”, bolstered by a clean bill of health and high morale.
“I want to highlight what we have achieved so far; nothing is handed to you at this level. I am delighted with our current form, the atmosphere, and the fact that every player is fit. We have the luxury of choosing from 26 players, which is the ideal scenario. Our focus is entirely on the future; we want to win this tie and continue to improve,” he told the press.
Regarding the upcoming clash with Belgium, he added: “I have no fear of being labelled favourites. It guarantees nothing, but I welcome the tag as it validates the hard work we have put in. However, there are no real favourites in a game like this; you can outplay your opponent and still end up on the losing side.”
Spain have successfully navigated the quarter-final stage just once in their last five attempts at the tournament.
“It is incredibly difficult to get this far. The eight best teams in the world are in the quarter-finals and the standard is elite. Our mentality is to go even further, but there is already immense satisfaction in the process of doing things well,” he declared.
One of those previous heartbreaks came at Mexico 1986, where Belgium eliminate Spain after Jean-Marie Pfaff saved a penalty from Eloy Olaya.
“I remember that day vividly; it was heartbreaking. To be knocked out of a competition by missing a penalty in that manner is painful. Only those brave enough to step up can miss, but it was a very sad day for me as I was so invested in the national team,” he reflected.
De la Fuente refused to rule out changes to the starting XI, clarifying that any rotations would be tactical adjustments for the opponent rather than a reaction to the performance against Portugal.
“Selecting the team is the hardest part of a manager’s job. A line-up isn’t just about who played well last time; every match presents a unique challenge. Certain players possess specific traits that suit attacking or defending against a particular rival. We analyse the opposition meticulously to find the right balance. I must stress that if a change is made, it is not to punish anyone; it is simply because we believe another player has qualities that fit the game better,” he explained.
“I value the work of the substitutes immensely. I prefer to focus on Spain rather than Belgium; those who play less are often the ones who drive us forward because they train as if their lives depend on it. The only players who cause issues are those who sulk or show poor body language… that is something I find intolerable in a dressing room,” he continued.
“We are taking it one match at a time. Our present and future is Belgium; whatever happens after that is in God’s hands. Everyone is in peak condition, and we will utilise them as we see fit, whether from the start or off the bench,” he added.
Furthermore, De la Fuente voiced his conviction that Lamine Yamal is on the verge of rediscovering his best offensive level during the tournament.
“When you see the motivation Lamine Yamal possesses, you see a player who is a constant threat to our opponents. We keep him calm so it does not turn into anxiety. We want him fired up, and he certainly is. The best version of Lamine Yamal, in terms of pure attacking flair, is still to come. He hasn’t quite produced that trademark spark yet, but he will. Against Portugal, he worked tirelessly at both ends until he ‘wore them out’; he even gave Nuno Mendes a difficult time with his persistence. We know the quality he has, and we expect it to shine through tomorrow,” he concluded.
