La Roja and Luis Enrique are no more; that’s a well-known fact. Luis Rubiales’ favoured choice of Luis de la Fuente took over, labelled as the cheap but secure option, having led Spain’s youth ranks in the Olympics and under-21 football amongst others. More flexible than his predecessor, transitions were the promise with de la Fuente’s arrival. And Spain did get transitions, against Scotland. But not quite like La Roja might have pictured it.
Scotland came up against a Spain side that were confused. This does not come as a surprise, taking into account eight(!) changes to La Roja’s XI. That was another expected change, as de la Fuente is more flexible in his footballing ideas: less keen on pure possession, a wider array of players instead of the usual horsemen, Spain did indeed see a lot of changes. The problem however, despite it being just the beginning, is the brutality of the said variation.
Yet, Spain were not happy, even if it in part got what it asked for. And it still isn’t. This is the first time in years that La Roja lost by two goals. The problem, above all, is not the ‘what’. As it’s often been pointed out, the ‘how’ reigns above all. Scotland didn’t play “bad football” (as claimed by Rodri after the game), Spain had no repertoire. How come? Through this many changes, there’s little to rely on. Players need certain constants, and those constants were not there.
Only Joselu Mato, having scored a brace in his debut against Norway, has been a new face that has arguably proven that they deserve more time – allowing Spain to cross more, as the Spaniard tends to dominate the box more than any other striker at their disposal. And while all of this might be true, Spain’s issue goes beyond the manager, perhaps. It’s perhaps, or most likely is, the mentality.
Spain has not modernised, for many. That’s debatable. What isn’t, however, is the moral high ground Spain’s players continue to take.
🇪🇸 Spain's Rodri gives his verdict on his side's loss to Scotland
"It's the way they play…for me it's a bit rubbish. Because it's always wasting time. They provoke you. They always fall. For me, this is not football." 🗣️👀#EURO2024 | #SCOESP pic.twitter.com/MIgxOOA2Cl
— Viaplay Sports UK (@ViaplaySportsUK) March 28, 2023
Football is a sport of periods. And it forces the workforce to adapt, much like any job. Spain have not yet admitted that its renowned possession play isn’t the shiny new toy anymore. It’s not the first time that players of high-possession football claim moral superiority — and that’s probably one of the variables that leave Spain and other major teams behind. The unwillingness to learn, to take responsibility, because of the belief of a ‘superior’ style.
If Spain do not want to repeat their mistakes of the past, they will need to accept humility, and stop acting as a major oligarch with all the oil money, and instead take notes and learn. And above all, take responsibility for its own mistakes. Scotland had few resources, and got the best out of them. Spain are not out of resources. It’s out of guidance and ideas, which will be de la Fuente’s job – to avoid having a side that’s lost in transition, both philosophically and on the pitch.
