In the UEFA Nations League first round, Spain will play away against England. Head coach De la Fuente shared his expectations for the match during the pre-match press conference.

On the UEFA Nations League

This is the perfect stage for us to debut with two stars, against opponents like England... it's England. I'm confident the atmosphere there will match what should be a very strong encounter.

On the new UEFA Nations League format

Nobody consulted me about this schedule. It's hard to understand that we have to play four matches in 10 days; such demands are too heavy. We accept this arrangement and will play with enthusiasm, but we don't think this is the most sensible schedule.

Will you field the championship-winning squad?

No, we will select the players we believe are best suited for this match and try to make the right choices. Some players may be in better form than they were two months ago, or perhaps not as good.

Are you concerned Spain has become everyone's target?

I guarantee you, we are not satisfied with what we have achieved so far. We want to keep progressing, achieve significant results, and make history. Tomorrow we will face England, the world's third-ranked team with an extraordinary group of players. Anything can happen tomorrow, but it certainly won't be due to negligence or complacency on our part. We have a strong desire to win, and the best is yet to come.

Will the players become complacent?

I guarantee there will be no complacency. I know these players and who wants to keep winning and make history. The desire to win must be maintained, and this team is maintaining it. What we have achieved so far is not enough; this team still has plenty of room for improvement.

Has your life changed since winning the championship on July 14? Do people treat you differently now?

Yes. After Euro, public recognition was important to me, but winning the Euros is a different level. Now, wherever I go, it's easier for people to recognize me, not just in Spain, but elsewhere too. They don't come asking me for anything; it's simply because they recognize my achievements in football, and that feels wonderful. It's a common sight: people come to thank us, and seeing everyone happy because of us, then thanking us in return, feels very rewarding. Seeing people happy makes me happier.

Why does England always falter at critical moments?

I can only speak about what happens with us. I don't know about England's internal management. I can only say that England is a very good team; they reached the finals of the last two European Championships and the World Cup semifinals. They are a super strong team. We will try to perform in a way that suits this match, just as we do with all our other matches. Tomorrow we will face a tough opponent, and both winning and losing are possible. We are very confident right now, but any opponent can beat you, especially England.

Has the starting lineup been decided?

Yes, it has been decided. We are very satisfied with all aspects of the team. We regret the departure of Llorente, but the players we have give us great peace of mind. That's football—it constantly evolves; some leave and others arrive. Fortunately, with so many excellent young players, we can feel confident about the future.

How much does family support matter when the team is playing away?

Family is very important to us. In fact, we began building this "family" concept during Euro, and we have maintained that atmosphere ever since. Our closest relatives are always with us; they are here today, and they will be here tomorrow. We don't set any limits; for us, the word "family" is very important.

Gordon and Tuchel spoke about Spain's game control in their press conferences.

We are faithful to our philosophy and hold to this model that has been practiced in Spain for years. The development of any model cannot be separated from a strong foundation. We will adapt to the times but always stick to our own philosophy. This is work we have done for years; our youth teams at all levels play similarly, and under this philosophy, we continue to strengthen the development pathway for Spanish national team football.

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