In the second round of the UEFA Nations League, Spain will host Croatia, and head coach Luis de la Fuente addressed the hot topic of the Ballon d'Or selection at his pre-match press conference.

After beating England, there has been much debate about whether Spain should rely on explosive wide attacking play or possession-based football. Do you agree with this debate, or do you simply see it as highlighting your team's tactical versatility?

I'm not aware of that debate, but it reflects the tactical flexibility of the team while maintaining our identity. The important thing is not the difference between different lineups; the team we fielded at Wembley is the same team that helped us win the World Cup. We want to be a team that is effective in attack, solid in defense, and controls the match.

Playing four matches in quick succession with little recovery time—does this force you to rotate your squad?

If I say again that there's nothing to debate, people will say I must rotate no matter what. We will try to keep the team balanced. With this format, teams are exhausted from travel and have little time to train, so there will certainly be some personnel changes. This is not just to give players rest, but because all 26 of our players are capable of starting. Everyone is in good physical condition, and we will assess which positions need adjustment most.

Ballon d'Or voting has ended. What do you think? Do you think you have a chance?

I don't know what the criteria are, but I always say that I hope the winner is Spanish, whether a player or a coach. I believe each of us deserves to win, so let's wait and see. Being nominated is already a great recognition, and I'm very proud and happy.

You've said you don't like this new competition format. It seems there's disagreement between decision-makers and experts. Do you think there's a conflict of interest?

If you ask any of us, they will tell you that playing four high-intensity matches in 10 days is too great a burden. You can see that with Eric García's case; we prioritize player health. We want him to recover without pressure or strain, without rushing. We won't completely change our starting lineup because we need to maintain the established framework, but there will always be some fresh players bringing energy. If possible, I would still like two more days of rest.

How do you plan to use Fermín?

He's in excellent form, but so are Dani Olmo and other players. Fermín can also play in deeper positions. He brings energy, influence, technique, and finishing ability to our team. He's very versatile, one of the top players in Europe and worldwide, and he fits perfectly with our tactical philosophy.

Since you coached Sevilla's youth team in 2001, we've witnessed your physical transformation and maturation as a coach. What would you tell your younger self?

Sometimes I don't even recognize myself when I started my coaching career. When you start coaching, you think you know a lot, but then, as you continuously accumulate and absorb knowledge, you change in many ways, especially regarding player development. I would tell my younger self: Don't give up, keep going. That perseverance is what brought me to where I am today. Life has taught me that if you persist, at least you'll have a chance. I always tell that to my children, and I would tell my younger self the same thing.

Are all 26 players at 100% physical fitness?

Everyone is in good physical condition, and we will assess which players need rest. Those waiting for their opportunity are capable and reliable, and they've earned their chance through their performances. I have no doubts or concerns; I know all of them are elite-level players, and we will select the team we believe is best suited to face Croatia.

Lamine Yamal is campaigning for his Ballon d'Or. Are you campaigning for yours?

I believe all of us deserve to win, including my entire coaching staff. Active campaigning is not my style, but if I win, I'll be very happy. You should write that down (laughs).

Do you think this Croatia team can compete with Spain?

Of course, I believe Croatia is capable of competing with us. They must believe that themselves, or they wouldn't be here. There is no perfect opponent, and there are no perfect matches. The most disappointing thing is that even when you're better than your opponent, you can still lose. We know Croatia well; we've faced them many times. They have a talented group of players, and their new coach is very capable. We need to perform better than what we showed in London. The players understand this, and we demand more from ourselves every day because every opponent is harder than the last.

Do you think rotation will be key?

Absolutely. Every player is important. A few days ago, someone showed me a statistic showing that since I took over, substitute players coming on in the second half have a higher goal-scoring rate. We value team spirit, and in the final stages of a match, some players can play more important roles. We could say we have two starting lineups because our players are so excellent, among the best in the world.

You said Eric may be able to continue playing. To what extent?

We're not sure if he can play in upcoming matches, so we ultimately decided to withdraw him from this training camp. We didn't think the risk was worth it, and he understands our decision.

How do you view the national team's enthusiasm? How does it feel to return to Seville?

We're very proud to see the great support the nation is showing for the team. We've recaptured the spirit of 2010, which made people proud to be Spanish. It's an honor to be the national team coach in my homeland. I have a home in Seville, and every time I come here, there's a special feeling. When I walk onto the pitch, I remember how it felt when I returned to Seville in 1987. And of course, there's the statue of El Cachorro. I've always lived in Nervión, and my son Alberto and I are members of the San Benito brotherhood, so I have a deep connection to this neighborhood.

Which Spanish player do you think is most likely to win the Ballon d'Or this year?

Spanish football history owes more than one Ballon d'Or. I was delighted when Rodri won that year. Now, I hope another Spanish player will win. Whoever among them ultimately wins, I'll be very happy. This isn't just because I have better relations with one of them; in my view, they're the best in the world at their positions.

What is the most important lesson you've learned over the past 25 years?

Perseverance, hard work, and continuing to do what's necessary during critical moments. In football, you lose more than you win, and it's in those moments that you cannot give up. Life hits you hard, but you have to get back up.

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