Coach happy after Spain hammer Croatians 6- 0
Madrid, Sept. 13: After only two matches, Luis Enrique already knows the key to his early success as coach of Spain’s national team.
Enrique said the team’s approach in the impressive wins over England and Croatia in the UEFA Nations League is what made the difference for a revamped squad since he took over.
“What I liked the most in these 10 days was the players’ attitude on and off the field,” the former Barcelona coach said. “In only a few training sessions they were able to put our ideas into practice.”
Enrique spoke after Spain’s 6- 0 rout of World Cup runner- up Croatia in the Nations League on Tuesday. Three days earlier, La Roja had come from behind to defeat England 2- 1 at Wembley Stadium.
“It was a spectacular day. I couldn’t have imagined it,” Enrique said after the team overpowered Croatia. “But regardless of the score, what I saw in the players’ attitude was what was important. With this level of efficiency and with this quality that we have in front of the goal, it will be very difficult to stop us.”
Fans loudly chanted the coach’s name during Tuesday’s game in the southeastern Spanish city of Elche.
“I was a little embarrassed. It surprised me,” Enrique said. “I’m thankful, but I prefer that they cheer the players, they are the real protagonists.”
Enrique was announced as Spain’s coach in July following the team’s World Cup debacle, when the federation fired Julen Lopetegui.