De la Fuente thinks about Brazil and his laboratory Spain falls to Colombia in London

Eduardo J. CastelaoSpecial Envoy London

Special Envoy London

Updated Friday, March 22, 2024-23:30

As the Spanish Federation stands, explaining why Spain-Colombia is played in London is a pain. Although there is nothing to suspect (at the moment) since all the teams are traveling to get some money from their friendlies (Italy has gone these days to play two friendlies in the USA), the climate of mistrust that this Federation has earned hard It's going to take a while to go away. If he leaves. But anyway, beyond that, which is not little, Luis de la Fuente has four games left (three already) to try things before the Euro Cup, so beyond the stage, the matter had its interest. A laboratory Spain, in tests, lost to Colombia being better, although this is not the least of it, being true, as it is, that losing is one of those things that always bothers.

Guessing the lineup was as simple as putting all the names in a parcheesi cup, throwing it and having the eleven chosen by Luis de la Fuente come out face up. It is assumed that the coach selected these players based on more than chance, but beyond that, what was clear is that he prioritized Tuesday's match against Brazil at the Bernabéu. Perhaps because yesterday was a spring Friday in Spain, before Easter, perhaps because it was played in a semi-empty stadium, perhaps because he wants to see the 26 that have been brought to this concentration, the fact is that a team was seen unrecognizable until now, and that will have little or nothing to do with the Euro Cup starting in June.

Vivian, the Athletic Bilbao centre-back who has entered the fight to accompany Laporte and Le Normand to Germany, made his debut, and Sarabia, Gerard Moreno, Grimaldo and Pedro Porro returned. Of all of them, two stood out in a relaxed match due to the inertia of this stage of the season and its friendly nature. Vivian and Gerard Moreno. The defender offered a course on how a centre-back should behave, retreating from long balls, overcoming when the forwards received and ensuring the pass when the ball was released, driving to divide the opponent if necessary or playing long if that was best. option. Strong, fast and with a lot of personality, he did not tarnish his night with the goal play, where he lost step against a huge player like Luis Díaz.

At the other end of the field Gerard Moreno raised his voice. Harassed in a bad way by injuries, he is an almost essential footballer in a squad of 23, not only for his ability to play centered or on the wing, but for his conception of football, his excellence in playing with his back or the ease he has to turn the ball from one side to the other. At the other end, Pedro Porro did not say anything, a somewhat rough, willful footballer, yes, but rushed in making decisions, not like, on the opposite side, Grimaldo, one of the best who has ever passed through that part of the field in De la Fuente's tests to find a companion for Gayá in the Euro Cup.

As it was, the night in London went smoothly, with Spain better than Colombia. Better with the ball and without the ball, better, in short, although with few options to score a goal. A shot from Merino to Grimaldo's center and a couple of oops in lateral centers were the best of an insipid first part of the session, held in a beautiful stadium but without any relationship with the contenders and with a 90-10 in favor of Colombia in the stands Things from modern football, one supposes.

Just after half-time, Remiro, Real Sociedad's goalkeeper, made his debut, and Gerard Moreno had the best chance with a shot from inside the area that Cuesta saved as best he could. Answered James, whose suit is a little tight, but who still has an enviable left foot. The match was broken by Luis Díaz. The Liverpool striker, in the race, made Vivian dizzy and Muñoz finished his cross at the far post to put his team ahead. Without deserving it, Spain was below. From there to the end, despite the entry of Morata, Nico, Baena, Lamine Yamal or Cubarsí, who finally made their appearance, not much happened. The boy had to go unnoticed for the last 10 minutes of a night that no one will remember. The testing laboratory closed until June, because on Tuesday, against Brazil, it will be something else. More serious.