De La Fuente: Mbappe is a genius, and this is what we want

Monday 08-07-2024

Luis de la Fuente, coach of the Spanish national team, appeared in a press conference to talk about facing France, in the semi-finals of the European Nations Cup "Euro 2024".

The coach said: “It's a great opportunity. We've done very well to get this far], this match could be a European Nations Cup final: both teams are great. Everything will be decided in the small details. We will try to be honest with ourselves with all the strengths that brought us.” To this extent.”

He added: “Spain’s style? We are a beautiful team worth watching, but in the end it is about winning - especially at this stage we want to play football Beautiful foot, but we want to play practical football as well, because what matters in the end are the results, the important thing, as always, is winning.”

He stressed. "We are facing great competitors. What we are evaluating is France's potential, and their potential is great. They have world-class players. I always enjoy watching football, especially a great team like France."

He continued: “Our players have recovered well. There is tension, of course, and fatigue. Our players will need to overcome certain moments physically. France is one of the most physical teams in the tournament [...] but we know how to play with them and we will try to impose our strength.”

And about Spain’s defeat in the European Nations League final against France 2021: “We are a new team. We have different ideas - not better or worse, just different. Our style is different from the previous national team. We wanted to offer a small improvement, and I think we were able to do that.”

He continued: “Footballers like Mbappe are unpredictable. Kylian Mbappe at 50% is like any other player at 100%, they can decide the match at any moment. He is a genius: a super world-class player.”

On Lamin Yamal: “Given his young age, he learns everything very quickly. He has to know that when the opposing players recognize him, they will make things more difficult for him.”

He concluded: “We want to reach the final, but no matter what happens, I will be very happy, I have seen the growth in my team and the commitment. If we keep this up, we'll have a chance to achieve something."