Spain boss Luis de la Fuente is satisfied his gamers are “the most effective on this planet” after guiding them into the final 16 at Euro 2024 with a recreation to spare.
De La Fuente noticed his facet be part of hosts Germany within the knockout stage after a 1-0 victory over reigning champions Italy in Gelsenkirchen on Thursday night earlier than praising the lads he has at his disposal.
Requested if it was the most effective efficiency over which he had presided at his post-match press convention, he stated: “Sure, I do suppose it’s the finest Spain efficiency I’ve taken cost of. We performed towards Italy within the Nations League and we performed effectively there, however I believe this was a extra compete efficiency tonight.
I believe the Spanish gamers are the most effective on this planet.
Spain boss Luis de la Fuente
“I’ll by no means tire, as I discussed yesterday, of actually selling Spanish soccer. I believe we’re the most effective on this planet by way of decoding varied match conditions, and naturally that’s actually bolstered and strengthened while you win silverware.
“Nevertheless it’s necessary to underline the standard of this technology of gamers, the gamers which have truly damaged into this squad. I believe the Spanish gamers are the most effective on this planet.”
Spain’s win got here courtesy of Riccardo Calafiori’s Fifty fifth-minute personal objective, however had it not been for the excellence of Italy keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma and the woodwork, they may have gained much more comfortably.
De La Fuente insists he and his gamers should preserve their ft on the bottom, however he doesn’t consider there’s a higher crew within the match.
He stated: “I’m very happy with the outcome and I’m very proud to educate at prime facet on the European Championship, however I’m additionally very happy with the best way by which we gained this match.
“I’m additionally acutely aware of the truth that it’s a really difficult match and the additional we go alongside within the competitors, our opponents will get to know us.
“Our opponents will turn into more and more troublesome within the knockout rounds. We all know there are a number of prime groups on this competitors, however we have to preserve these emotions in thoughts.
“As I stated, no crew is best than us – I nonetheless am of that opinion, however we have to preserve working arduous and preserve enjoying as we’ve accomplished up to now, so we have to enhance, we have to preserve our ft on the bottom and by no means let our guard down.”
