Analysis Now yes, the path of Spain is clear
Spain A volcano and a family for the future: the five joys that the Eurocup leaves (and some concern)
Opinion The beautiful failure of Luis Enrique, by Jorge Bustos
On June 3, on the eve of the friendly against Portugal, Luis Enrique was still looking for a starting goalkeeper to protect his plan. "Any of the three (Simón, De Gea and Robert Sánchez) can be the headline," he said that afternoon in the Metropolitano's press room. Sergio
Busquets'
positive for Covid
prevented further tests, so Spain appeared at La Cartuja with a drawing and some names yet to be consolidated. However, a good part of those footballers who broke into the first official casting against Sweden became essential. The Asturian coach always defended the idea that anyone could be a starter in his team, but he has ended up finding a backbone from which to set sail.
At Wembley, the final point of the trip to Spain, Unai
Simón
,
Laporte
,
Pedri
or
Koke
were looking for consolation
, the only immovable pieces from the start of the competition. Probably,
Morata
would have also been in that group
, conditioned in the last two games by some physical problems. They are now the axis on which this young team revolves, which continues on its way to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, becoming one of the least appetizing teams on the continent.
The goal was only a few minutes under suspicion. That blunder in Copenhagen, after a loan from Pedri, threatened to change the course of a position that seemed safe. That threat made Unai Simón stronger, who became strong from that first day against Sweden. There fortune allied with him, when
Berg
sent a sharp shot to infinity. The ball was played to Unai but his mind stayed on the sidelines.
From Gea
, aspiring to his position, did not hesitate to give him a cable.
His game with his feet did not deviate a millimeter from what Luis Enrique asked him from day one.
His stops in extra time against Croatia got him off the ground.
Four days later, he became a hero after that penalty shoot-out against Switzerland.
He could still have magnified his legend if his teammates had been more in tune against Italy.
With the roar of the swollen
azzurra
behind him, he was able to scare off
Locatelli's
first pitch
and sensed some more.
Simon has earned the right not to be under suspicion.
And that is enough.
"Not Andres Iniesta"
In defense, the only constant in Spain has been Aymeric Laporte. A footballer recruited at the last minute for the Euro, after an express nationalization, who has restored Luis Enrique's confidence by precisely directing every heartbeat from behind. Either with
Eric García
, his teammate at Manchester City, or with
Pau Torres
, a dance partner in his official debut with the national team. The center-back was the only outfield player who has not missed a single minute: 630. The place where
Sergio Ramos
built his legend is for now for the French footballer, who has the total confidence of the coach. Laporte and three more as a hallmark of the new rear of La Roja. One of them could well be
Azpilicueta
, far from that youthful pattern that the national team radiates.
He landed late but ended up conquering the right wing and, also, completing his most relevant performance in a championship.
Pedri and Ferran Torres, at the end of a match.Wolfgang RattayEFE
At just 18 years old, Pedri has expressed himself in the field like no one else. Against Italy, for example, he was able to complete all 31 passes he attempted in the first half without fail. A 100% effectiveness that was translated into the Spain exhibition. Its quality is astonishing, but also its physique. In six games he accumulated 76.1 kilometers on his legs, the highest record in the competition. «What he has done, neither Don
Andrés Iniesta did
. I have not seen his thing to anyone, it is something out of logic ", were the spontaneous praise of Luis Enrique, still under the spotlights of Wembley stadium, with the harsh taste of defeat.
The midfield is no longer understood without Pedri, nor without Koke, who started all six games.
Only Pedri tried more passes than he did in midfield.
And so would Sergio Busquets, MVP against Slovakia and Croatia, had the Covid not interrupted his preparation.
The three of them have sustained Luis Enrique's thought at the core.
Rodri
, the starter in the first two duels, ended up taking off when gasoline was scarce, especially Captain Busquets.
The Olmo explosion
And although there was never a fixed trident in attack, Morata has always had the confidence of Luis Enrique, who considers him vital to his plan. Except against Italy, he always started from the beginning. And it is that, to the bewilderment of
Chiellini
and
Bonucci
, they ran into an excellent
Dani Olmo
. One of the young people who has climbed a couple of steps in this European Championship. He missed his crosshairs in the penalty shoot-out, but left with 20 shots on target, 17 dribbles and three assists. "Dani was huge because he is very intelligent and has a lot of quality," said Luis Enrique. But it wasn't just Olmo. They were also
Ferran Torres
(two goals, one assist and four starts) or
Sarabia
(29 years old), who woke up Spain (two goals and two assists) until his injury.
Even
Oyarzabal
, who executed Switzerland in the shootout.
Gerard Moreno
had minutes but no aim.
Dani Olmo shoots against Italy..Frank AugsteinEFE
With the wound still fresh, the coach recalled that, had he not suffered his serious injury,
Ansu Fati
would also have been there.
Aim is the only thing (and the most important thing) that the front lacks so that the metamorphosis of Spain, that of the children heirs of that group that conquered the planet a decade ago, is complete.
"My job is to make my team better, I think there is a basis for Qatar," Luis Enrique said goodbye, satisfied that he had found his backbone in the Eurocup.
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