Spain manager Luis de la Fuente was pleased with his team on Monday night, despite the fact that they twice gave up the lead against Switzerland. Running out 3-2 winners courtesy of a Bryan Zaragoza penalty, La Roja finished top of the Nations League for the quarter-finals.
After the match, de la Fuente was happy for the young players who came into the side, with Samu Omorodion, Aitor Paredes and Pablo Barrios all making their debuts. Meanwhile Oscar Mingueza and Marc Casado took their first place.
“I repeat: we have a good present and a wonderful future. These players just need opportunities and this makes us stronger. They are insatiable and inexhaustible and this competition makes them bring out their best version.
Despite his troubled moments at the back, de la Fuente was pleased with his efforts.
“We are happy. Football is like that, we know how competitive it is and we need to value beating a powerful team like Switzerland. We put the scoreboard right and this is a good sign,” he said AS Diary.
“I am proud to be Spanish, to have the fans we had in the Canary Islands. I am also passionate about the players, who are insatiable, want to grow and are an example of competition and being a team, teammates. It is an honor to lead this National Team.”
De la Fuente was willing to play the quarterfinals and final four in Spain if possible, and noted that he was proud to be Spanish. He also appreciated Alvaro Morata's gesture with Pedri during the game. The AC Milan forward won a penalty in the first half at 0-0, and should have taken the penalty. After the crowd chanted for Pedri, who is from Tenerife, he gave the ball to the Barcelona midfielder.
“Football is played with your feet, not your tongue.”
Bryan Zaragoza's response to Thomas Tuchel after grabbing the winner for #LaRoja last night (SER chain) #England pic.twitter.com/uB3QOXYmv3
— Football España (@footballespana_) November 19, 2024
“Morata was a great captain, it was a very nice detail. He had the opportunity to score the penalty and equal Torres as the third leader of Spain and he preferred to give the shot to Pedri, because he was playing at home.
Fortunately for Pedri, who saw his effort saved by Yvon Mvogo, Yeremy Pino found the net in the same game. La Roja had not played in the Canary Islands for 28 years, and Pino became the islands' first player to score against them.
De la Fuente was also pleased with the contribution of Casado, who came into midfield with Rodri Hernandez and Martin Zubimendi missing. He's proven he's no slouch though.
“Casado is great news for Spanish football. He plays like a veteran and makes the team play. He was a discovery. In Spain there are great players, the best in the world.
