Luis de la Fuente Reveals the Secret to Euro 2024: 'We Are a Family, in Capital Letters'

Luis de la Fuente is counting down the days before announcing the Spanish national team's squad for the Nations League 'Final Four' on Monday, May 26. The first opponent in their title defence will be France, featuring Kylian Mbappé and Ousmane Dembélé, on June 5 at Stuttgart Arena. Meanwhile, the coach reflects on the success of the last European Championship, which secured Spain's fourth continental title.

"Nothing was handed to this team," De la Fuente emphasises. "Everything was earned through hard work. We've achieved everything with effort, sacrifice, perseverance, teamwork, and solidarity. It's a testament to values and commitment that provides strength and confidence to achieve any goal," the coach reiterates. "We are a family, in capital letters. But not just made up of players or technical staff, but all members of the expedition who provide strength, security, conviction, and energy to overcome all challenges."

"The focus on younger players is only the result of a deep understanding of Spanish grassroots football, of the clubs' youth systems, because we've worked with them," De la Fuente notes in Coaches' Voice. "And we continue to work and maintain strong relationships with these players in the various categories where they participate. This is what we've done throughout our time together."

Among the youngest players in the squad, Nico Williams and Lamine Yamal stand out. "Two players we had great confidence in during the European Championship because we knew how they performed in the roles we wanted them to play," and they will remain key in the coach's plans for the upcoming Nations League.

De la Fuente confesses that dialogue with the players is a crucial part of his relationship. "We don't ask them for anything new. Feel comfortable, secure, and calm when it comes to showcasing all your footballing potential." The coach reveals that "in the tactical and technical demands of the European Championship, we believed it was best for their development, for their performance, and, of course, for the team's benefit."

If the Spanish national team has demonstrated anything in recent years, it's that the collective takes precedence over individualities. "Everything we do is for the team's benefit. That is the leitmotif of any plan, any demand, and request: the team's benefit," he states. "That's the most important thing," De la Fuente adds.

Like Diego Simeone with his famous 'match by match' approach, De la Fuente acknowledges that "regardless of the opponents that could follow if we progressed through the rounds, we approached each match as if it were the last." "The round of 16 was against Georgia, a team we knew very well. We had faced them in the qualifying phase, with two convincing victories, but we knew this time would be completely different. And it was." The coach recalls the quarter-final clash against Germany, the host nation, and a team they could face in the Nations League final if both progress past the semi-finals. "It motivated us, especially because Spain had never beaten a host nation in any championship. And in our conversations, we always sent subliminal messages for people to grasp this idea." Interestingly, this Nations League 'Final Four' is being held in Germany.

Spain's opponent in the Nations League semi-finals is France, a team they faced and defeated in the same round of the last European Championship. The French team now and then "felt much more comfortable with space to attack with speed and verticality with their attacking players," the coach notes.