Luis Enrique is “optimistic about what lies ahead” as Spain prepare to try and win Group A2 in the Nations League.
La Roja host Switzerland on Saturday knowing a win will secure top spot for them if Portugal lose to the Czech Republic.
Should they not seal it this weekend, Spain will have a second chance to do so when they travel to face Portugal in their final Nations League group game on Tuesday.
Speaking at a press conference on Friday, Luis Enrique was boosted by what he had seen in training from his squad, including first-time call-ups Borja Iglesias and Nico Williams.
“It has been the best week of training for the players since I became a coach,” he said. “Even Borja and Nico, making their debuts.
“I am optimistic about what lies ahead. A brutal week, even those who play little have the level to compete.”
📸 Y por supuesto (𝚗𝚘 𝚙𝚘𝚍𝚒́𝚊 𝚏𝚊𝚕𝚝𝚊𝚛)…#VamosEspaña | #NationsLeague pic.twitter.com/kAbZnzSyUe
— Selección Española de Fútbol (@SEFutbol) September 23, 2022
The former Barcelona boss was refusing to look ahead to the clash with Portugal before facing the Swiss.
“Even losing [to Switzerland], if we beat Portugal, We’ll be through,” he said. “But that doesn’t mean we’ll speculate. The next one is the most important game.
“The good thing about the Nations League is that all the teams have something at stake. If Switzerland don’t get more points, they will [be relegated to League B].
“Good players can play together like [Alvaro] Morata and Borja. We will not change the way any player plays and everyone has assimilated to our way of working.”
Luis Enrique was also asked about the situation with the Spain women’s team, with 15 players having said they do not want to play under current head coach Jorge Vilda.
Ballon d’Or winner and Barcelona superstar Alexia Putellas effectively joined the rebellion on Friday, posting a statement from the disenchanted group.
“It is a totally abnormal situation, and difficult to manage,” Luis Enrique said on the matter. “But I have not the slightest doubt that the [Spanish Football] Federation will manage it in the best possible way. There are many factors.”
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