After spending over a decade slowed down in disappointment, Spain waltzed their means again to soccer’s peak by reaching Sunday’s Euro 2024 closing in Berlin. Profitable two European Championships in 2008 and 2012, both facet of their 2010 World Cup triumph, La Roja have been set to dominate soccer for years to come back. Nevertheless, they fell from grace at astonishing pace. The gamers destined to interchange their golden era fell desperately quick. Spain’s 2014 World Cup defence resulted in early humiliation, battered 5-1 by the Netherlands, crashing out within the group stage.
The 2-time defending champions have been eradicated by Italy within the Euro 2016 last-16, with newspaper Marca labelling it “The Finish” for Vicente del Bosque’s La Roja.
Spain fell on the similar stage within the 2018 World Cup towards Russia on penalties, finishing over 1,000 passes however failing to harm the restricted hosts.
A greater exhibiting at Euro 2020 took a younger facet to the semi-finals however the 2022 World Cup last-16 defeat by Morocco was one other painful exit.
Nevertheless, the Spanish soccer federation believed the crew was near the place they wanted to be.
They changed coach Luis Enrique with Luis de la Fuente, who had coached nationwide youth sides for years with success.
Regardless of early jitters, together with a 2-0 defeat by Scotland final 12 months, Spain caught with their little-known coach and are actually reaping the rewards.
De la Fuente earned their first silverware in 11 years by lifting the Nations League final summer season, pledging it was solely the start.
And so it proved, with La Roja the standout Euros crew, dominating the hardest group that includes defending champions Italy, earlier than beating hosts Germany and France.
What they’ve achieved appears outstanding given their line-up boasts few recognisable stars past Manchester Metropolis midfielder Rodri.
Barcelona winger Lamine Yamal, 16, will dazzle the soccer world for years to come back and will earn that billing, however he’s solely simply beginning his profession.
On the alternative flank Nico Williams has additionally burst into the limelight and will get a giant transfer this summer season from Athletic Bilbao.
Elsewhere the crew options many ‘misfits’, together with Marc Cucurella who has struggled at Chelsea, Saudi Arabia-based Aymeric Laporte, and others who will not be standouts for his or her golf equipment.
Nevertheless, their lack of superstars poses no issues. “I’ve 26 nice gamers and I am simply fortunate that they’re Spanish,” stated De la Fuente.
In contrast to closing opponents England, whose coach Gareth Southgate is typically reluctant to interchange struggling icons, or France constructing round a sub-par Kylian Mbappe, Spain settle for everyone seems to be on an equal footing.
“The massive distinction to all of the (different) nations is that we’re a crew and there’s no one chief above the remainder,” defined Barcelona’s Pedri earlier than the match.
De la Fuente, extra pragmatic than his predecessor, is cashing in on his willingness to strive completely different approaches.
Spain nonetheless get pleasure from possession but additionally launch the explosive Yamal and Williams, hearth in crosses and allow them to take dangers to beat their markers.
Whereas different coaches might need opted for one winger and a possession-friendly midfielder on the opposite flank, the 63-year-old goes full throttle with each.
Luis Enrique’s Spain tried to move groups to loss of life however at instances in Euro 2024 La Roja have had lower than 50 % possession.
De la Fuente is aware of his gamers higher than most of his counterparts did on the match, having coached the overwhelming majority of them over the previous few years.
He gained the U19 Euros with Spain in 2013 and the U21 Euros in 2019, plus silver on the Tokyo Olympics in 2021. Seven of the beginning line-up that day have performed at Euro 2024.
“I do know the gamers very properly, what we had out there to us and we would have liked time to do what we’re seeing now,” stated the coach this week.
“I’m not shocked by it. Cooking this up… is a protracted course of however we knew the choices and the trail we needed to take.”
That continuity has confirmed very important within the worldwide sport the place coaches don’t usually have lengthy to work with their gamers and has taken Spain to the verge of glory as soon as extra.
(This story has not been edited by NDTV employees and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Matters talked about on this article
