2026-06-16 10:31:39
Luis de la Fuente insists that Spain won’t panic despite being held to a shock 0-0 draw by Cape Verde in their World Cup opener.
The tournament favourites were frustrated by the African debutants in Monday’s (15.06.26) Group H clash in Atlanta but the coach says that they won’t change their approach.
De la Fuente told reporters: “This [Spain] team is reliable, whatever happens. We’re a team with an extraordinary reliability. We haven’t lost in 32 matches. We’ll be better in the next game, for sure.
“When you lack freshness and getting the final ball right, this can happen. It’s something to improve, nothing else. We’ll stay on our path, which has taken us this far.”
The manager praised Cape Verde’s defending but did claim that the opposition were “clearly inferior” to his side.
De la Fuente said: “In this World Cup there’s extreme equality and difficulty. This team was clearly inferior to us, but they did the things they had to do well.
“We have to keep growing. With the talent these players have, that’s the way. We’re calm. This is a long tournament, and in our heads we’ve still got seven games left.”
De la Fuente also defended his decision not to bring on attackers Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams on until late in the match.
He said: “Obviously, they’re two players who can make the difference, but the players on the pitch are very good, too. In the next game, the alternatives will increase and the team will grow.
“Today, that was the amount of time we understood [Yamal] could play.”
Meanwhile, midfielder Rodri has urged Spain to sharpen up in front of goal.
The La Roja captain said: “We knew we had to be patient. They sat back; we created chances, we couldn’t score. It’s tough against such a physical team. The positive is they hardly created anything, but we have to improve in front of goal.”
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