Barcelona is the Spanish team Ferran Torres he called jokingly The German police to enforce one of the child protection laws on Yamal plateswhich was tacitly ignored to allow him to play at Euro 2024. The pair are in fine form for La Roja as they head into the Round of 16 against Georgia.
One of the key changes that Luis de la Fuente's team has undergone under him is a more direct and aggressive style that prioritizes the ball much less. Torres, while speaking to Sid Lowe in The Guardianhe said the atmosphere around the team is one of the keys.
“Maybe we're more direct than before; we don't have as much possession. Maybe it's a little more free. Every coach has his nuance. But more than a style, what you see is that we're friends on the field. You see the energy , the connection, the atmosphere: you see us form and flow. There is no rivalry, but of course we want to play it's healthy and that's super important.”
The faces of that change have been 16-year-old Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams on either flank, both of whom have been a nightmare for Croatia, Italy and Albania to deal with. Lowe asked Torres' opinion on his Barcelona team-mate's performances.
Nico Williams (Athletic Club): “Barça? All kids dream that the big clubs will notice them.” @LaVanguardia
— Barcacentre (@barcacentre) June 28, 2024
“That he should be banned. What is this boy doing at 16 years old!
“Nah, I'll report him to the police after July 14. Let him help us win first. I didn't know that; I'm going to tell him now, fan: there's a joke to be played here. Outside the camp, let's go all day, there are no groups. I learned in Manchester with Phil Foden, but not as well as they; in the pub with beer”.
The story refers to German child protection laws that under-18s must not work after 8:00 p.m., something Spain has done with Lamine Yamal and theoretically puts them at risk of a heavy fine . There are exceptions for athletes, but that only lasts until 23:00, meaning any extra time would put the Spanish FA at risk.
