The national soccer coach, Luis de la Fuente, warned that in the round of 16 of the Euro 2024 they will meet a Georgia that is “very motivated” due to its history in the German event, but recalled that Spain is also putting together a performance that could be optimistic, although they do not stop thinking about “constant improvement.”
“Maximum respect for a great rival, who had a great tournament and a great match this Wednesday beating Portugal. The experience we have had in the matches against them, we have seen that they have progressed and improved a lot in their performance. We will have to give our best version as we always demand of ourselves to have a chance of going through and winning this match,” he said on Wednesday after learning who Spain’s opponent is.
In statements to the media of the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), collected by Europa Press, the Rioja coach praised a Georgia that surprised a Portugal that, yes, had nothing at stake. On the other hand, he recalled the clashes in the qualifying phase for this EURO against the Georgians.
“The experiences are worth it to both teams. We have seen that they have changed the system somewhat, but not the idea of the game. They have very fast players who come out very quickly in transition or counterattacks. We have to be very careful. They already have the experience of having played three games in a European Championship and with the security that having qualified gives you, with this load of motivation of having surpassed Portugal, is going to make them even more dangerous,” he stated.
For this reason, De la Fuente warned of a “motivated” rival, without forgetting that Spain is the only team that advanced with full victories and without conceding a goal, facing Sunday’s round of 16 clash. “The trajectory gives them great motivation and security. Likewise, our trajectory gives us a very important boost,” he noted.
“Reaffirm ourselves in what our path is, reaffirm ourselves in what our football idea is and continue growing. As I always say, in our feet, heart and head it is continuing to improve, if we want to go far in this Euro Cup, it requires constant improvement,” he concluded.