Spain coach: Players 'fired up' by criticism after draw

Luis de la Fuente, the coach of the Spanish national team, stated that his players are intensely motivated by the criticism they have faced after their initial 0-0 draw against Cabo Verde. He expressed strong confidence that this reaction will translate into a "totally different" and improved team performance when they face Saudi Arabia.

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Our players are very fired up.

"Our players are very fired up," de la Fuente commented during a press conference. "Sometimes criticism, even if unfair, is more motivating. Everything that has been said will be beneficial. The footballers do read everything, but they are used to living with this. They are very fired up, very fired up, and I am sure that tomorrow the face will be totally different."

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Sometimes criticism, even if unfair, is more motivating. Everything that has been said will be beneficial.

De la Fuente downplayed any sense of crisis within the squad, suggesting that external analysis would have been different had the previous match ended with a different scoreline, despite identical play. He stressed that there is no "drama" or feeling of being overwhelmed, only a clear objective to win the upcoming match. "We have a great advantage in our team, and that is that it has a tremendous competitive character. It is stung," he added.

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They are very fired up, very fired up, and I am sure that tomorrow the face will be totally different.

He acknowledged that the team lives somewhat "in a bubble" but is aware of the continued enthusiasm from the Spanish public. While respecting all opinions, de la Fuente assured that no discouragement has permeated the team. "We are eager to compete again and recover the feelings from five days ago," he concluded, highlighting their readiness to perform.

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We have a great advantage in our team, and that is that it has a tremendous competitive character. It is stung.