MADRID, 3 Jul. (EUROPA PRESS) –
Spanish international footballer Nacho Fernández has said that a Spain vs Germany match, like the one that will be played next Friday (18:00) at the MHP Arena in Stuttgart, corresponding to the quarter-finals of the men’s Euro Cup, “is the most beautiful match to watch right now” in the top continental tournament for national teams.
“You can play very good football, but if you have a bad day it’s worth absolutely nothing. But from what we’ve seen so far, Spain-Germany is the most beautiful match to watch right now. We are two candidates to do something very important in this Euro Cup. It’s going to be an incredible match to watch for the people and the fans and a very special match for us,” said Nacho in an interview for the program ‘Radiogaceta de los Deportes’, on Radio Nacional de España (RNE).
“I was almost 100% fit in the last game, but I’m now available for the coach. I’ve been with the team for several days and I’m happy to be fit again,” admitted the defender about his fitness, after having suffered some minor physical problems in the group stage that prevented him from playing in the round of 16.
“I think the best selections are here [en cuartos]. We have been drawn in what is perhaps the most difficult draw. But we talked about it at the beginning of the Euros, that we have to focus on ourselves. Without a doubt, I think we are one of the favourites. And with that confidence, we can continue playing like we are doing; it doesn’t matter who we are up against, the important thing is to continue focusing on ourselves,” he added.
Looking ahead to the quarterfinals against the German team, Nacho compared both formations. “We are similar teams. They want to have the ball, with a lot of verticality, creating goal-scoring opportunities, with good defenses, etc. It is important that day to be accurate and good defensively,” he warned.
“Obviously, we know what Germany is like, they have great players in each of the lines. As a team, they have also been showing for many years that they are a candidate for any title that is played for. Also, with the handicap of playing at home and they will have the support of a lot of people. We have a very nice challenge ahead of us, we have a lot of confidence in ourselves and we hope that things go well,” he added.
“It’s a team that likes to have the ball like we do. That’s where the game is going to be, whoever imposes their dominance and their way of playing will have more chances. It’s also a game that is decided by details, by small things like these types of games and football today. It’s important to be focused and do things well,” repeated the now ex-Real Madrid player, captain this past season.
“I never dreamed of it. It’s been an amazing season, possibly one of the best of my career because of the importance I had in the team, the titles we’ve won and obviously because of the extra advantage of being the captain. In the end it was the only thing left for me, to win as captain. This year has been amazing. And now I’m in a European Championship with a tremendous desire to do something for our country,” he said.
He also did not avoid questions about his signing for Saudi Arabian side Al-Qadsiah until 2026. “I’ve always had that ambition. It’s not a question of me getting tired of winning, quite the opposite. I could have stayed one more year at Real Madrid and I would have been just as good,” he reflected.
“There are times when players think that the time has come. I had been thinking about it for several months and I really needed to live a new experience. It was Saudi Arabia, but it could have also been the United States. In the end I decided to go there. I needed something new and different in my career, something that awakens other kinds of things. I have been very, very happy at Real Madrid, it couldn’t be happier,” he said.
“Regardless of whether he has joined the national team or not, Spain has always been a powerhouse. They have shown this over the last few years. We have a squad that mixes young and veteran players, which is important for this type of competition. We are not going to fool anyone, we are playing good football, we are showing that we are a great team,” he spoke again about ‘La Roja’ and this EURO 2024.
“It’s true that you’re always afraid to say that you’re one of the favourites. But we shouldn’t fool anyone, we’re playing good football and we’re confident. We know, of course, what game we have in the quarter-finals, possibly the most favourite of all also because we’re playing at home. And we’re happy with where we are, with a lot of desire and a lot of excitement,” predicted Nacho on the eve of the match against Germany.
To get to that game, Spain had to come from behind against Georgia in the round of 16. “They were clear favourites. We were better than them, but we have to prove it on the pitch. The reality in the other game is that they get ahead. They were defending very well in a low block and, when they went forward, they hurt us a lot,” he said.
“The goal caught us off guard and that’s when you have to be calmer, because another goal is very difficult to come by. And in this type of game, where you go home at the first opportunity, you have to be very careful. But Rodri’s goal also gave us that calm to go into the break in a different way, to gather strength for the second half and I think that was a different game,” summed up the Spanish national team defender.
Asked again about the match against ‘Die Mannschaft’, Nacho commented that “even Germany will be happy that there is such a nice match in the quarter-finals. We have a very nice challenge ahead of us, hopefully we can have a good day and keep going,” he hoped.
Regarding Lamine Yamal, the FC Barcelona winger, he also gave his opinions. “He is here living what I imagine must be a dream for him, just like for everyone else, but obviously at 16 it must be something impressive for him,” Nacho speculated.
“When a player is as good as Nico Williams is, a lot of teams come to him. And that’s good because he’s doing things right. He’s showing in this Euro that he’s at a spectacular level. We already knew he was, but he’s showing it in a competition where the best are,” he praised the Athletic Club striker.
Another name that came up in the interview was Marc Cucurella. “He’s having a spectacular Euro Cup. I’d seen some of his games, but honestly I was very surprised by the level he’s giving. He’s showing it on the pitch, I have to say. He’s an intense, fast player, he’s good going forward and I think he’s fundamental for the national team right now,” admitted Nacho.
“This team could be made up of many teams and all of them would be candidates to win a European Championship. The coach is lucky to have 26 top-level players. This means that they do not only belong to clubs like Real Madrid and Barcelona and it is good for diversity,” concluded the new Al-Qadsiah defender.
2024-07-03 21:50:45
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