From the Source: “We don’t get to be world champions”
Luis de la Fuente highlighted Spain's ambition after winning 2-1 to Croatia in Split by the League of Nations: "We do not agree to be world champions."

The Spanish Selection ratified its great moment in the League of Nations after achieving a key victory as a visitor in Split to Croatia. In the context of the fourth day of the continental event, the combination conducted by Luis de la Fuente was imposed by 2 to 1 in a meeting of high physical and tactical demand. With this result,
the Red maintained the leadership of its group and chained its fourth consecutive victory in the tournament, consolidating the strength of a process that does not slow its pace after obtaining the highest international honors.
At the post-duel press conference on Croatian soil, De la Fuente did not hide its satisfaction with the surrender and discipline of its leaders. “The four wins reflect the attitude of a wonderful team, who always wants to give the best, who doesn’t get tired of fighting to win and who is now getting it. We don’t settle for being world champions.
We want to continue to improve and there is room for improvement, much still. Our goal is to continue to grow as a team and to achieve all the goals we set ahead, “said the Riojan coach to the media.
Tactical domain, wear and key reappearance of Mikel Merino
The process of the party before the Balkan group demanded a mature reading by the Spanish technical body. During the first half, the push of local hobby and the physical intensity of Croatia forced Spain to retreat and suffer from high pressure. However, in the complement the visit imposed conditions through the possession and gradual wear of the rival,
Finding the ways to unbalance the marker.
“Today it was a party that we knew the rival was going to put that attitude into, and we have understood it very well. We have never turned his face to him and have always sought to continue to grow and master,” the DT analyzed. Regarding the development of the game, he detailed: “The first time has been to make the rival mature and we have suffered a lot because they pushed us and it has become a very hard game.
In the second time we have had the calm to waste the rival and generate opportunities. Mikel Merino appeared again, but it has developed as we had raised it to a great rival in an exceptional environment. ”
Merino himself was again decisive in the network, consolidating his weight in the structure of the selection. On the wheel, De la Fuente expressed a warm recognition: “It is an honor and a pride to lead a football player of that talent and human quality. He has shown why we have to go and pick him up in the arms if it was necessary.
I would probably be more valued if I were of another nationality, here we always find it difficult to give value to such wonderful football players that we have. ”
Support for Unai Simon and projections on the international stage
In addition to analyzing the collective operation, the press conference left room for the Spanish selector to go out in defense of the headline archer, Unai Simón, whose performance under the three sticks was again decisive to sustain the advantage at the critical moments of the night in Split.
“I am happy for all, but there are some football players like Unai Simón who have always been a little glanced and it is time for them to be recognized,” the technician emphasized. In this regard, De la Fuente stressed that the guarameta has the merit to compete for the Golden Ball in its category, which has three goals nominated among the most prominent in the world scene:
“I hope it is a Spanish who will make it,” he concluded.
Sustained competitiveness and projection for continental football
The present of the Spanish selection under the mandate of De la Fuente reaffirms a line of work that combines generational replacement with results support to the powers of the continent. The performance in difficult places like Split shows that the ambition of the plant remains intact, projecting a football hegemony that seeks to extend in the cycle of international competitions that
avecina.
The balance of the four yarn wins in the League of Nations strengthens the group’s conviction, which will continue its official calendar to seal its classification to the final phase of the European tournament while adjusting collective details to consolidate the tactical replacement.