“It was our obligation and our responsibility,” Luis de la Fuente celebrated the qualification for Euro 2024. And, immediately afterwards, he stuck out his chest: “Something will have been done when things are achieved this way. But we have to be balanced. Today I am very happy, but in the difficult moments I was with the necessary serenity to transmit security to the group.”
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Ørjan Haskjold Nyland, Julian Ryerson, Strandberg (Vassbakk, min. 77), Birger Meling, Leo Østigård, Aursnes (Kristian Thorstvedt, min. 77), Oscar Bobb, Berge, Odegaard, Patrick Berg (Antonio Nusa, min. 58) and Erling Braut Haaland
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Unai Simón, Fran Garcia, Laporte, Le Normand (David García, min. 45), Dani Carvajal, Gavi (O. Sancet, min. 78), Fabián, Rodrigo, Ferrán Torres (Alfonso Pedraza, min. 71), Morata ( Joselu, min. 89) and Ansu Fati (Oyarzabal, min. 45)
Goals 0-1 min. 48: Gavi.
Referee Tobias Stieler
Yellow cards Le Normand (min. 29), Oscar Bobb (min. 30), Julian Ryerson (min. 39), Laporte (min. 56), Morata (min. 61) and Rodrigo (min. 85)
With the ticket to Germany practically in his pocket – a draw was enough for him – De la Fuente understood that it was time to take care of the squad, especially to pamper those players in whom he has always trusted. This is the case of Fran García, whom he had coached in the U-18, U-19 and U-21, to replace the injured Balde, as well as Fabián Ruiz, one of his favorite players when the current coach of the absolute He was responsible for La Rojita. None, in any case, needed to boost his self-esteem more than Ansu Fati.
“He is a great footballer and I fully trust him,” said the coach. But Fati’s football, dressed in Barça or in the Brighton shirt, is off – he lasted only 45 minutes on the field – while the Madrid full-back did not shine in Oslo. However, Fabián Ruiz never fails him. During his time as head of the U-21 team, De la Fuente had devoted himself to the player trained in the Betis youth team. Luis Enrique also trusted him. The Asturian, however, forgot about the midfielder after Euro 2020.
“I don’t know why he didn’t call me up again,” said the PSG player. Everything changed when De la Fuente took the reins of the team. In reality, everything returned to normal in Las Rozas: immovable in the coach’s calls. Fabián returned to the national team in De la Fuente’s first game in the major league, precisely in the first leg against Norway. He did not play, however, in the coach’s only defeat in the senior team, in the defeat against Scotland at Hampden Park.
“Happy because we have grown in an exceptional way. It gives the feeling that we have a team for the future. It is what excites us the most,” De la Fuente stressed about the team’s evolution after the defeat against Scotland. “The team has been working very well,” added Fabián Ruiz, who is fighting for a place in the starting eleven with Mikel Merino, waiting to see how the Red midfield will be formed when Pedri recovers from the injury. “We have a great team whoever plays,” analyzed Fabián euphorically, who seems immovable from De la Fuente’s list.
Who no one doubts is Rodri, an indisputable player in the starting team. Nor from the energetic Gavi. “He is a fantastic player, an extraordinary boy. He is future and present. I like it a lot, even the things that he has to control,” said the coach in relation to the difference in the number of yellow cards that the Andalusian saw with Barça (33 in 107 games) and with Spain (three in 25). . “I am happy. We have come with a streak of very good victories,” Gavi concluded. The power of the Blaugrana sealed the victory of Spain, a triumph of the people of Los Palacios in Oslo, land of Gavi and Fabián Ruiz, also of De la Fuente’s bets, waiting for Ansu Fati to wake up.
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