FFernando Llorente, world champion with Spain in 2010, went through ‘The Ortega Program’ with Vicente Ortega to analyze the moment of the team in the World Cup. The former Rioja striker was excited about Luis de la Fuente’s team, although he warned of the dangers of feeling like a favorite too soon: “You have to keep dreaming. This selection is exciting, not only because of the individuals we have, but because of the great team that Luis de la Fuente has formed.“.
The dangers of the favorite label
Llorente recalled that in a World Cup event it is not enough to have better names than the rival. For the former player, The tournament has already shown that any well-worked team can complicate your life: “The fact of being favorites doesn’t help much either. Nowadays you find a team that is well trained, they close behind and it is often difficult to score the goal and win the game.“.
Being favorites doesn’t help much.
The Spanish team, celebrating a goal during a match
The Riojan also spoke of distribution of responsibilities within the group and gave his own World Cup in South Africa as an examplewhere he had a decisive role coming off the bench against Portugal. “The decisive moments of the World Cup can be helped a lot by a player who hasn’t played as much and who is looking forward to that opportunity, which is what happened to me.“he explained.
The decisive moments of the World Cup can be greatly helped by a player who has not played as much, as happened to me.
Asked about the Spanish player who makes him enjoy the most, Llorente did not hesitate: “Pedri drives me crazy, he is an incredible player. Every time he has the ball he is able to do magic with it and make music“. He also pointed out Oyarzabal as one of his candidates to fight for the top scorer: “I sensed it before the World Cup started. I hope this is his World Cup and he can help Spain go as far as possible“.
I hope this is his World Cup and he can help Spain go as far as possible.
Mikel Oyarzabal, a fundamental piece in Luis de la Fuente’s scheme
About favoritesLlorente placed Spain in first place, although he asked for caution in the qualifying rounds: “We have to walk with lead feet. One little mistake and you’re out.“. In addition, he warned of the growth of several teams and especially Morocco: “I really like Morocco. “They have just won the U-20 World Cup, with very good players from below, and it is a team that is growing a lot.”