De la Fuente: "In Time, We Will Realise the Legacy Morata Leaves Behind"

Luis de la Fuente praised Álvaro Morata during the press conference held ahead of the match Spain will play against Switzerland on Monday at the Helidoro Rodríguez López Stadium in Tenerife. "In time, we will realise the legacy he leaves, not only in footballing terms. He is a great person, a great captain, and an example for these young players who are the future and need to absorb the messages from the veterans. I would love for him to be recognised a bit more, but the dynamic is changing because in recent matches the public has applauded him," said the Spanish coach when asked if he believed justice was not being done for the Madrid striker, who, with one more goal, would equal Fernando Torres' 38 goals, making him the third top scorer in the history of the national team, before a match that will cap off a successful year for the European champions.

"We have worked hard, I don't want to evaluate, it's our duty. What I can say is that we have given our all. In terms of objective data, it's a dream season, but there is always room for improvement, and tomorrow we want to finish with another victory," noted the coach, who feels "very loved" and lives "the same life as before" becoming European champion, despite the title achieved in Germany putting him more in the media spotlight. "I still feel that affection, and it's what brings me the most joy. I celebrate being seen as a close, affable, and simple person," he added on the eve of a match inconsequential in terms of standings but with incentives nonetheless.

"Our duty is to win tomorrow because there is much at stake," such as prestige and confirming the rise in the FIFA ranking for a team that was eleventh in the ranking two years ago. "We have travelled a fantastic path, and the most important thing is that there is a fantastic future," pointed out De la Fuente, who confirmed he will make changes to the lineup against Switzerland compared to the one that played on Friday in Copenhagen, but stressed that Monday's team "will be a great team" designed to face the Swiss.

De la Fuente clarified that he considers Pedri and Dani Olmo compatible, despite having only shared six minutes on the pitch with the coach from La Rioja on the bench. "They are excellent, they play together at their club and will do so with us," highlighted the coach, who showed no preference regarding the opponent Spain might face in the Nations League quarter-final draw to be held on Friday. "I have no preference, the important thing is that we have achieved the goal of being first," noted the coach from Haro, who considers this competition "as difficult as a European Championship."

One of the keys to the great trajectory of the Spanish national team since De la Fuente took over is his deep knowledge of the players, thanks to his past in the youth categories, allowing him to closely monitor many players now making the leap to the senior team, such as Samu in this call-up. "We know Spanish football very well and the future because we have worked with it. For many, Samu appearing now may be surprising, but not for us because we have seen his trajectory and his journey. We have a great present, but a better future because Spanish football is very healthy," he explained before focusing on another newcomer, Marc Casadó. "He is a young but very sensible, mature, and responsible boy. That's why he is performing as he is. Of course, he has a great journey ahead," he said about the Barça midfielder.

He finally referred to the three Canary Islands internationals who will have the chance to play on Monday in Tenerife: Ayoze, Yéremy Pino, and Pedri. "They all have significant motivation to wear the national team jersey, but especially if you play in your homeland. They love their land because they speak wonders of it," he said about three "exceptional footballers, with fantastic technical quality and also very important work that makes them very complete players, among the best in the world." "The luck is that they are Spanish," he concluded.