Euro 2024: Spain’s Luis de la Fuente hails team’s physicality after dramatic win - 'The game is played to the limit'
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Published 05/07/2024 at 23:04 GMT+1
Spain manager Luis de la Fuente did not take issue with the physicality on display in Spain's 2-1 extra-time win over Germany in their quarter-final on Friday. Pedri was taken off injured with just eight minutes on the clock thanks to a robust challenge from the now-retired Toni Kroos. In total, 13 players were booked and Dani Carvajal was sent off late on in the feisty Euro 2024 clash.
'My players are the best', says Spain head coach De La Fuente
Video credit: SNTV
Luis de la Fuente played down the physicality of Spain’s 2-1 extra-time win over Germany, asking “what do you want, to get kissed?”
The match, won by the head of Mikel Merino in the 119th minute, was characterised by uncompromising challenges, epitomised by Toni Kroos forcing Pedri’s departure after eight minutes.
Dani Carvajal was shown a second yellow card in the dying seconds of extra-time for hauling back Jamal Musiala by the neck, while 13 other players were booked in the course of the match.
But Spain boss De la Fuente was not bothered by the series of tough tackles in the game, stressing that football was much the same when he was a player.
"I played in the 80s - if you want to watch a video of the 80s and see how football was played back then, you know I don't get scared,” De la Fuente said.
“What do you want? I have a friend who says, 'what do you want, to get kissed?
"This is football, I am not afraid of these things - the game is played to the limit.
“I am not complaining about the toughness of the opposing team. I rather appreciate what we as a team have done."
And the former Athletic Bilbao left-back stated that his team’s spirit should be used as a model for commitment that transcends the sport.
De la Fuente said: "I'm proud of this group of players, such a committed group of players, who are an example for our country, for our society, and for any sportsmen and women who want to be competitive and want to improve every day in order to try and be a bit better every day."
"Our team has heart and I know them; they have ambition and they are eager to be better every day. They never tire of improving and I am proud to coach them.”
With the win, Spain eliminated the hosts of a tournament for the very first time in the country's history, reaching back-to-back European Championship semi-finals in the process.
De la Fuente’s men will face Portugal or France in the last four on Tuesday 9 July and the Spaniard assured reporters that his squad will keep their feet on the ground.
He said: "We will see how far we can get, but I'm really proud of the example that this team is giving out in terms of companionship and values and so on, and this is what I value the most, apart from the quality of my players.”
"We are happy, but we know that tomorrow is a different day, and tomorrow it's another game already. So yes, we are happy but the euphoria is very much under control.”
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