- Title: De la Fuente preaches importance of suffering as Spain seek semi-final spot
- Date: 22nd March 2025
- Summary: VALENCIA, SPAIN (MARCH 22, 2025) (REUTERS) SPAIN COACH LUIS DE LA FUENTE TAKING SEAT FOR PRESS CONFERENCE (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) SPAIN COACH, LUIS DE LA FUENTE, SAYING: “Those moments when perhaps we are all very distant, more vulnerable, especially on the inner side, but still with good central play, and those minutes where, even knowing that they could happen and did happ
- Embargoed:
- Keywords: Ferran Torres Lamine Yamal Luis de la Fuente Ronald Koeman Spain vs Netherlands UEFA Nations League UNL
- Location: VALENCIA, SPAIN
- City: VALENCIA, SPAIN
- Country: Spain
- Topics: Europe,Soccer,Sport
- Reuters ID: LVA001085522032025RP1
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Spain may be reigning European champions and title holders in the Nations League, where they are seeking a semi-final spot, but even the best sides must learn to suffer if they are to succeed, coach Luis de la Fuente said on Saturday (March 22).
Spain earned a 2-2 draw against Netherlands in the quarter-final, first leg in Rotterdam on Thursday, having trailed the 10-man hosts before Mikel Merino equalised in added time.
Spain were on the verge of losing a competitive match for the first time in two years before the midfielder, who has been playing as a striker for his club Arsenal in recent weeks, scored to silence the Feyenoord Stadium.
Spain host the Dutch in the return leg on Sunday in Valencia, and are unbeaten in 22 competitive games, with De la Fuente confident his team can keep the streak alive.
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