Luis Enrique’s Spain squad selection reflects players that fit his system, not the big names
Luis Enrique’s Spain squad selection reflects players that fit his system, not the big names: The first is a scaffold. The enormous screen followed. Also, a walkie-talkie. Luis Enrique told Spain’s players that their training outfit would be modified for their final two games before the World Cup.
He placed a speaker on the vest near the GPS to tell them what to do.
“You’ll hear the master,” he cautioned.
Spain’s manager gave orders from a platform beside the training pitch, corrected mistakes, and directed their next play. Perfectly controlling everything
Borja Iglesias: “When you first hear, you think he’ll be radio-controlling the game.” “It’s a terrific way to become close to a player, though. It’s straightforward, simple, and helpful; he knows how to use it well.”
Iglesias, 29, was with Celta B, while Luis Enrique was their first team coach in 2013.
It has been a long route to the selection. He only played one league game in Celta’s first team after Luis Enrique left; he went to Zaragoza in the second division, joined Espanyol for two years, and is in his fourth season at Betis.
It is where he scored just three times in his first season. But Luis Enrique has been keeping an eye on him. Borja has met his coach.
Luis Enrique originally built a scaffolding platform at the training area in Vigo, and he continued doing so in Barcelona. Other modifications followed when he became Spain’s coach in 2018.
If that platform allowed him to see their faults, he created a large screen to show them live. Now, he’s in their ears, preventing mistakes with his walkie-talkie. Hopefully.
Statement
Big Brother and Luis Enrique: “Papa will come out from behind you.”
He’s always been unusual, original, and his own man (even if he makes such a deal of doing it his way that it suggests it’s partially about not doing things other people’s way; even if his provocative personality is more humorous than his critics want to accept).
He went from Madrid to Barcelona as a player, and he’s like that now. Determined and convinced. His players must share it.
Iglesias: “He’s essentially the same” “He hasn’t changed with time and experience. He always communicates the same notion. He communicates his style to the team. Celta was next. He’s got more tools. He has more means to reach the players if that’s the appropriate phrase. Similar to five years ago.”
Remarks
“Everyone understands the rules. We’re better than opponents if we play as we do, “said Luis Enrique. “We’ll lose if we play long ball.”
So they play his way — “even if it means giving the fans a heart attack” — and repeat the message via a large screen and small speakers. The philosophy isn’t unyielding, although it can feel that way, and it’s held firmly. It’s direct, uncompromising, and completely explained. Non-negotiable.
He spoke for about an hour in his first news conference of this gathering. Even if you disagree with his judgments, everything makes logic. His terms. His terms.
Luis Enrique declared his leadership on day one. If you do what we want, you’ll be back; if not…”
Luis Enrique considers the seleccion a team, not a prize. His leadership is about the country, not the clubs. “I feel pity for other foreign coaches because they get asked about the same players I do,” he said.
Declarations
“Everyone’s needs are different. I see. Fans of a given team often say, “He should go.” I was angry when Eloy and Ablanedo didn’t go as a kid. “How can you not take the best?”
How? They’re not a team. Luis Enrique’s choices may seem left-field to some, but they make sense to him, the man with the most invested in the team, the man with the analysis, the man providing the foundation.
There’s a footballing element, a group element, and an authority question: he believed Sergio Ramos wasn’t honest about his physical condition when he joined the squad.
You can only assess what happened to those who came, not those who didn’t. Once he identifies them as moldable, this is the time to win him over and join this group. Here, the approach is drilled into them; if not, they won’t return practically no matter what they do outside. Here, not there, is where you belong.
“I’ll always favor what they’ve done for me over what they’ve done for their clubs,” the coach says. Dani Olmo, Pedri, Gavi, and maybe even Eric Garcia have been vindicated through time.
Iago Aspas is the best example of his approach because it’s difficult to explain. Aspas has long been the best Spanish forward. It’s foolish not to take him. He belongs in Spain. It’s hard to see him not getting the call after watching him with Celta. Deserves? There’s no merit.
Comments
Luis Enrique’s answer, which wasn’t about Aspas but seemed to be, applies to everyone:
“Journalists look at a player’s club when he stands out,” stated Spain’s coach. “In his club, he’s number one and everyone plays to him. He doesn’t defend; he just scores.
The national team context is different. Here, nobody plays for anyone else but themselves. Everyone defends and attacks. I’ve had many media-requested players, and what occurred happened.”
“A team isn’t just the top 11 LaLiga players. Not only pick the goal scorer. Choral choreography is wanted. I want a team that goes for the game from the first minute, regardless of the score: we don’t fall deep, keep taking risks, and press high. We want the ball back quickly when defending.
Since I’ve been here, that’s how we’ve played. I want the club to accomplish that, so I search for guys who understand our style.”
It’s non-negotiable and inexorable — his master’s voice chasing the players across the pitch.