De la Fuente: "I make decisions with enlightenment, with the support of God"
Things are going reasonably well for Spain, which this Sunday, if it wins, will certify its presence in the European Championship in Germany next summer. But even if he doesn't win, he will achieve that goal in November by winning one of the two games against Georgia and Cyprus. And since things are going reasonably well, you have to rack your brain a little to ask the protagonists about something with minimal interest.. Regardless of whether Fran García plays for Balde (or Pedraza) or whether Fabián replaces Merino, the focus this Saturday was on God, on the one hand, and on the cameras inside the locker rooms, on the other.
Luis de la Fuente is known to have a powerful religious side.. “Yes, I am a believer, and I am glad that you asked me that question,” he responded when someone told him about his visit last Thursday, before the game, to the sanctuary of the Santísimo Cristo de la Expiración, also known as the Cristo del Cachorro, which is very close to the hotel where the selection is usually concentrated. It is a regular visit for De la Fuente, who every time he goes to Seville – where he lived for many years – he goes to his appointment with Christ.. “Yes, I asked for health and I asked for a job. That things go well gives me a lot of strength. And it calms me to know that I make decisions with certain enlightenment, with the support of God. But yes, I asked for health and work for everyone,” the coach explained.
The other topic unrelated to purely sporting matters came with Unai Simón. The Athletic Bilbao goalkeeper is a somewhat disbelieving guy, who looks at the press with distrust and who doesn't really like the ways of modern football.. He said that he did not feel comfortable with the cameras inside the locker rooms, a LaLiga initiative this season. “What difference does it make if I don't like it? Things aren't going to change.”. I understand that if more money is generated it will continue to be made. I'm not going to detail the things that should not be done.. I don't understand it and that's it. One day they will put the cameras in the bathroom, and see what I do. But hey, if it sells…” said Spain's starting goalkeeper.
For the rest, the name that flew over the appearance of both was that of Erling Haaland. There were half a dozen questions related to the City striker. “We will try to do what we always do,” said the coach, and the goalkeeper was more explicit: “We will try not to let him touch it in the area, because if he touches it, he has many more options to go inside than with other players.”
De la Fuente, by the way, is not worried about his future, even though before, if a coach managed to qualify the team for a major tournament, he would automatically be renewed.. “I'm not worried in the least, whatever has to be, will be.”