Football

Alvaro Morata has been recalled to the Spanish national team for their upcoming Nations League matches, as announced by coach Luis de la Fuente on Friday. The AC Milan forward returns to the squad after recovering from a muscular injury that kept him out of Spain's opening two Group A4 encounters.De la Fuente praised Morata's leadership qualities, describing him as "one of the best strikers in the world" and "a great captain who unites the team." He added that Morata's presence on and off the field is invaluable.However, Spain will be without key midfielder Rodri, who suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury and will miss the rest of the season. De la Fuente acknowledged Rodri's irreplaceable role but expressed confidence in other players stepping up.Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi has been called up to replace Rodri, while Mikel Merino, who recently recovered from an injury, has also made his return to the squad.Spain will face Denmark in Murcia on October 12 before hosting Serbia in Cordoba three days later. The squad includes a mix of experienced players and rising stars, with a strong emphasis on players from La Liga clubs.De la Fuente's decision to recall Morata and include Zubimendi and Merino signals his intent to maintain a competitive and cohesive team despite the absence of key players. Spain will be aiming to secure positive results in their remaining Nations League matches and build momentum ahead of the 2024 European Championship.

After a decade of disappointment, Spain has triumphantly returned to the pinnacle of football by reaching the Euro 2024 final in Berlin. Having won two European Championships in 2008 and 2012, and the 2010 World Cup, La Roja seemed destined for continued dominance. However, their fall from grace was swift and unexpected.The players expected to replace the golden generation failed to live up to expectations. Spain's 2014 World Cup defense ended in humiliation, with a 5-1 defeat to the Netherlands in the group stage. They were eliminated by Italy in the Euro 2016 last-16, and by Russia on penalties in the 2018 World Cup.Despite a better showing at Euro 2020, where they reached the semi-finals, Spain's 2022 World Cup exit to Morocco was another painful blow. However, the Spanish football federation believed the team was close to their potential. They replaced coach Luis Enrique with Luis de la Fuente, who had a successful track record with national youth sides.Despite initial setbacks, including a 2-0 defeat to Scotland, Spain stuck with their relatively unknown coach. De la Fuente's first silverware came in the form of the Nations League last summer, and he has continued to impress with La Roja's performances at Euro 2024.Spain has dominated the tournament, topping a tough group featuring Italy, Germany, and France. Their success is remarkable considering their lack of recognizable stars beyond Manchester City midfielder Rodri. Young talents like Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams have emerged, but the team also features players who have struggled at their clubs, such as Marc Cucurella and Aymeric Laporte.However, their lack of superstars has not hindered them. "I have 26 great players and I'm just lucky that they are Spanish," said De la Fuente. Unlike opponents England, who have struggled to replace aging icons, or France, who have built around a sub-par Kylian Mbappe, Spain has embraced a team-first mentality."The big difference to all the (other) countries is that we are a team and there is no one leader above the rest," explained Barcelona's Pedri before the tournament. De la Fuente has also shown a willingness to try different approaches, balancing possession with attacking flair.While Luis Enrique's Spain relied heavily on possession, De la Fuente's team has shown more flexibility. They have released Yamal and Williams to exploit their pace, and have taken risks to beat their markers.De la Fuente's knowledge of his players has also been a key factor. He has coached the majority of the starting lineup over the past few years, winning the U19 Euros in 2013, the U21 Euros in 2019, and silver at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021."I know the players very well, what we had available to us and we needed time to do what we are seeing now," said the coach. "I am not surprised by it. Cooking this up... is a long process but we knew the decisions and the path we had to take."That continuity has proven vital in the international game, where coaches typically have limited time with their players. It has taken Spain to the verge of glory once more, and they will be confident of lifting the trophy on Sunday.

Spain's coach, Luis de la Fuente, exudes confidence in his team's abilities as they prepare to face France in the Euro 2024 semi-final. Despite the formidable presence of Kylian Mbappe, de la Fuente believes in his players' potential to overcome the French challenge.Spain has showcased impressive form throughout the tournament, scoring 11 goals in their five consecutive victories. In contrast, France has struggled to find attacking rhythm, relying on a penalty and two own goals for their three strikes. However, de la Fuente remains cautious, acknowledging Mbappe's exceptional talent."Mbappe is a unique player," de la Fuente said. "He can appear anywhere on the pitch and never truly disappears. Even if he's not at his peak, he still possesses immense quality."Despite the praise for Mbappe, de la Fuente emphasized his faith in his own team. "My players are the best," he declared. "We will minimize France's strengths and counteract their threats. I have unwavering belief in our ability to win."Spain's midfielder, Rodri, echoed his coach's sentiments, dismissing criticism of Mbappe's recent performances. "I don't listen to what people say," Rodri said. "Mbappe is a world-class player who can hurt any team. We must be aware of his capabilities."Rodri also defended France's style of play, despite accusations of being boring. "They may not be the most exciting team, but they're in the semi-finals," he said. "We're focused on our own game and winning, not on what they do."As Spain prepares for the crucial clash, de la Fuente's unwavering belief in his team serves as a source of inspiration. With their attacking prowess and defensive solidity, Spain aims to overcome the challenge of Mbappe and France to secure a place in the final.

Spain, the reigning European champions, have secured their place in the knockout stages of Euro 2024 after a dominant performance against Italy. Despite having the luxury of resting key players for their final group game against Albania, coach Luis de la Fuente is determined to maintain the momentum his team has built up.De la Fuente has been vocal in his praise for his squad, describing them as the best in the tournament, if not the world. The evidence so far supports his claim. Spain have looked the most impressive team on display, showcasing their slick passing, attacking flair, and defensive solidity.Teenager Lamine Yamal, winger Nico Williams, and 21-year-old Pedri have all produced dazzling displays, while experienced players like Alvaro Morata, Dani Carvajal, and Rodri provide invaluable tournament experience.However, De la Fuente faces a dilemma for the Albania game. While resting key players could disrupt their rhythm and sharpness, he is also forced to make at least one change due to Rodri's suspension.Albania, on the other hand, will be desperate for a win to keep their hopes of reaching the knockout phase alive. They secured a last-gasp draw against Croatia in their previous match, and their Brazilian coach Sylvinho has instilled a sense of belief in his squad.Despite Spain's dominance, Albania will be no pushovers. They have shown resilience and determination in their previous matches, and they will be eager to make a statement against the tournament favorites.

Spain's hopes of building on their impressive Euro 2024 opener against Croatia rest heavily on the exceptional Fabian Ruiz. The Paris Saint-Germain playmaker was the standout performer in Spain's 3-0 victory, setting up the opener and scoring a classy goal himself.Ruiz's importance to Luis de la Fuente's team was evident in his performance against Croatia. He outshone even Luka Modric, the Croatian captain and one of the world's best midfielders. De la Fuente praised Ruiz's "exceptional" qualities, highlighting his top-level ability and brilliant technique.Ruiz's resurgence under De la Fuente is a testament to the coach's belief in the player. De la Fuente coached Ruiz in Spain's Under-21 team, where he was a key figure in their 2019 European Championship triumph.Despite his success at youth level, Ruiz struggled to establish himself in the senior team under former coach Luis Enrique. He was not selected for the 2022 World Cup, but De la Fuente's appointment has given him a new lease of life.Ruiz's return to the Spain squad has coincided with a change in their playing style. Under De la Fuente, Spain are more direct than they were under Luis Enrique, and Ruiz's ability to create chances and score goals has been crucial.Ruiz's form has also been impressive at club level. He has flourished under Luis Enrique at PSG, scoring the winning goal in the French Cup final against Lyon. He also found the net in Spain's pre-Euros friendly against Northern Ireland.Spain's next challenge is a clash with Italy, a team they have met at four consecutive European Championships. Ruiz, who spent four seasons in Serie A with Napoli, will be familiar with many of the Italian players.Spain are seen as one of the favorites to win Euro 2024, and Ruiz will be a key figure in their quest for glory. His exceptional talent and ability to make a difference in big games make him a player to watch in this tournament.

Spain's Euro 2024 campaign got off to a flying start with a convincing 3-0 victory over Croatia in Berlin. Coach Luis de la Fuente urged his team to remain grounded despite the impressive performance, emphasizing the importance of staying calm and focused.La Roja dominated the first half, with Alvaro Morata opening the scoring in the 17th minute. Fabian Ruiz doubled the lead just before halftime, and Dani Carvajal sealed the victory with a fine goal in the second half.De la Fuente praised his young team's performance, particularly 16-year-old Barcelona winger Lamine Yamal, who became the youngest player ever to play at the Euros. "We dug in against Croatia, who are one of the best teams in the world, and we applied ourselves well in defense," said De la Fuente. "We performed in the way we needed to at every stage."Spain's tactical approach under De la Fuente has shifted from the possession-based style of his predecessor Luis Enrique. La Roja is now more willing to go direct when it suits them, utilizing the pace and versatility of players like Ferran Torres, Nico Williams, and Lamine."We have real versatility and different tactical options," said De la Fuente. "We can hurt opponents with possession or attacks based on positional play, or we can be very quick on the break too."Despite the impressive victory, De la Fuente cautioned his team against complacency. "We have to stay calm, motivated, and proud," he said. "We have a big game against Italy in five days. Our target is still very far away, we have to just keep our feet on the ground."