Each staff left on this World Cup has one factor in frequent: a transparent concept.
Nationwide groups haven’t got the time to construct the complexity of membership sides, so the message must be easy and repeated.
That’s the place Spain have a bonus. Their footballing id has been developed over many years.
Gamers and coaches are chosen as a result of they match the concept, not the opposite approach spherical. And so they have been capable of evolve their model as a result of the foundations had been already there.
Some would argue they’ve a sure benefit on the nationwide groups which can be attempting a ‘new challenge’ with a brand new supervisor.
De la Fuente has inherited that id, and to paraphrase what Pep Guardiola as soon as stated when speaking about Johan Cruyff, De la Fuente “has not constructed the cathedral, he merely re-paints it now and again”.
The Spain supervisor has added layers: extra versatility, extra depth, extra consolation in transitions, extra unpredictability within the last third, extra solidity.
Spain are nonetheless recognisable, nonetheless “the simplest staff to analyse”, as a member of Portugal’s workers advised me after their defeat within the final 16, however “the toughest to beat.”
He is aware of these gamers as a result of he has labored with them at youth stage for a decade.
His teaching selections replicate this familiarity. His workers logically analyse each match intimately and be taught what the changes are.
In opposition to Cape Verde, Spain lacked finesse of their passing. In opposition to Saudi Arabia, the machine ran easily once more.
In opposition to Uruguay, he knew that Spain had traditionally misplaced matches when dragged into provocation and chaos, so he insisted on calmness, self-discipline, and emotional management.
De la Fuente admits that in earlier years he would have reacted extra emotionally.
He stated: “Expertise has taught me to face these conditions many instances. I have been by these video games – I’ve already lived by them and often misplaced. Why? As a result of we did not know the way to play sure sorts of video games.”
“So, when somebody rattles you, knocks you off your recreation, breaks your focus, you end up interrupted, paused, with altering disrupting rhythms.”
It has taught him that Spain lose once they abandon their id.
His information conferences replicate the identical values. He prepares them, with the assistance of Aitor Karanka, director of soccer on the federation, the media staff and likewise the FA psychologist, former participant Javier Lopez Vallejo, however he improvises when the state of affairs calls for it.
He speaks from the center. He calls journalists by title as a result of he was taught that at dwelling that “respect begins with recognising the individual in entrance of you”.
He appears to be like folks within the eye and treats them as equals. He insists these should not media tips.
