Luis de la Fuente, DT of Spain, avoids thinking about a possible crossing with France

Luis de la Fuente, Spain's head coach, has made it clear that his team will not dwell on the possibility of facing France in the World Cup semifinals. During a press conference ahead of Spain’s quarterfinal match against Belgium, de la Fuente emphasized that his focus remains solely on the upcoming game, dismissing any speculation about potential future matchups. He stated that the idea of facing France does not exist for Spain at this moment, as they concentrate exclusively on their current challenge. De la Fuente acknowledged that France had demonstrated its strength during their victory over Morocco, which secured their place in the semifinals. However, he insisted that Spain would not allow thoughts of a potential clash with France to distract them from the immediate task at hand. “We saw France’s match. It was very dominant, and they won well. They have shown their footballing potential,” he said. “But I guarantee you we think only about Belgium. If we pass Belgium, then we can talk about France. As professionals, I guarantee you France doesn’t exist [yet] for us.” Spain faces Belgium in the quarterfinals after France defeated Morocco 2-0 to advance to the semifinals. De la Fuente described Belgium as a highly potent team and noted that both teams reaching the quarterfinals indicates they are among the top eight teams in the world. He added that the match against Belgium would be the most difficult one Spain faces in the tournament so far. The Spanish coach also highlighted that his team continues to build confidence with each passing game. He mentioned that victories help establish a stronger foundation of belief within the squad. The match against Portugal was significant, but he felt Spain arrived at this stage in good condition. This growing sense of self-assurance, according to de la Fuente, plays a crucial role in how the team approaches high-stakes matches. Despite the challenges posed by Belgium, Spain enters the quarterfinal with a solid record and a sense of momentum. Their progression through earlier rounds has been marked by consistent performances, which de la Fuente believes have contributed to the team's increasing confidence. The coach stressed that maintaining this level of performance is essential for navigating the toughest stages of the competition. Belgium, known for their strong midfield and attacking capabilities, presents a formidable challenge for Spain. The match is expected to be tightly contested, with both sides aiming to secure their place in the semifinals. De la Fuente acknowledged the difficulty of the encounter but remained focused on preparing his players for the specific demands of the game. As the quarterfinal approaches, attention turns to how Spain will adapt their strategy to counter Belgium's strengths. While de la Fuente has not revealed specific tactical plans, he emphasized the importance of staying grounded in the present rather than speculating about future opponents. His approach underscores a broader philosophy of focusing on each match individually, ensuring that the team remains mentally prepared for whatever comes next. With the stakes high, Spain must deliver a strong performance against Belgium to continue their World Cup journey. Whether they succeed or face elimination, the outcome will shape the narrative of their campaign moving forward. For now, however, the focus remains firmly on the task at hand, as de la Fuente and his team prepare for what promises to be a challenging and decisive match.