Luis de la Fuente has insisted “there are no favourites” ahead of Spain’s Euro 2024 final against England in Berlin this evening.
Spain have been widely regarded as the standout team of the tournament and won each of their six games en route to the final, including matches against Croatia, Italy, Germany and France.
However, the Spain head coach said that “favourites are for bookmakers” and that both teams will be “equal” in the showpiece as he warned that his side’s winning run could break “at any time”.
“We are serene, we have never lost perspective,” De la Fuente said. “We know this analysis from outside [of Spain being deemed favourites to win] but we think our own way, we know there is no favourites.
“The game will be very equal, the same as in previous matches. Favourites, we leave that to the bookmakers.
“If we don’t play above the level we have shown, if we are not completely focused, we won’t be able to win. These types of games come down to the smallest details and the team that makes fewer mistakes will take the game.
"If we don’t do all that, we won’t win. But I know my team have all that. With maximum respect for our rival, we are very focused on trying to win.”
Spain have progressed through what has been considered the tougher side of the draw and are the highest scorers in the tournament with 13 goals.
They are attempting to win their first major trophy since winning back-to-back European Championships in 2008 and 2012 and the World Cup in between in 2010.
De la Fuente, who is 18 months into the role, has seen his team excel so far in the competition but knows that they could see their fine form end at any point.
“It’s like talking about a goalscoring streak from a striker, it can break at any time,” he said. “What we know is that England have fantastic football potential.
“Their best play could appear at any time — it could appear tomorrow and they might show a superior version of themselves.
“But even if you are much worse than your opponent you can still win because anything can happen. It’s about not making mistakes, creating chances and capitalising on them.”
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"I'm proud of our journey to the final"
Few anticipated Spain reaching the final despite them falling narrowly short in the previous Euros three years ago when they lost in the semi-finals to eventual winners Italy in a penalty shoot-out.
De la Fuente, who coached the country’s under-19 and 21 teams previously, has already claimed the Uefa Nations League with La Roja and believes that the talent in the team bodes well for the future irrespective of what happens at the Olympiastadion.
“There is no future here, the future is right now, and I am really proud of the journey the team has been through to get here,” De la Fuente added.
“The levels of performance, the excitement, the workmate, the sacrifice, the talent, nobody gave this team anything, they have earned it for themselves.
“We have the right to be really proud of what we have done, it is a big present and there is a huge future no doubt, and to see the whole country so excited no matter what happens next is wonderful.”
