Luis de la Fuente: “It was a dream season, but we want one more victory”

Santa Cruz de Tenerife (EFE). On the eve of Spain’s final game of the year, Luis de la Fuente has described 2024 as a “dream season” that he hopes to end with another victory that will put him in contention for the top spot in the FIFA rankings.

Although Spain already sit top of the group and have qualified for the next round of the UEFA Nations League, the coach told a news conference that there was “a lot at stake.”

“We are at an important level, we have a great responsibility to the country, to the fans, and if a number of circumstances occur, we will be able to finish the year in first place in the world rankings,” he said.

De la Fuente recalled that when he took control of the team, they were in eleventh place in the said classification and he believed that the path “has been fantastic”.

However, the coach emphasized that the best thing is the future that awaits this team.

“It is fortunate that we have these players and many others who are still in the background and who will appear soon. Spanish football is very healthy,” he said.

In addition to ending the year with a win, the team hopes to “leave a good impression on March,” the date when the final stage of this competition begins.

“The Nations League is as tough as the European Cup, the top 16 qualify on their own and now we will play the quarter-finals against teams like France, England or Portugal, I have no bias,” he said.

The leader also noted that the atmosphere on the island of Tenerife is “fantastic” and he hopes that love can be “repaid with a good game and a good result.”

Regarding the possibility of Dani Olmo and Pedri Gonzalez sharing a place in the starting line-up, he stated that “it’s very easy to combine them”, although “there are so many options and possibilities” that they could also play with other teammates. EFE