Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente is planning massive rotations in the fourth World Cup qualifiers, stating at his press conference that he wants to distribute the efforts and maintain high motivation against the Bulgarian team, which is struggling after the 6-1 loss to Turkey.
In addition, the Bulgarian team has been without a win for more than ten months and this was emphasized at the press conference.
The European champions from Spain are without a point in Group E and have not conceded a goal in the three matches so far. Bulgaria is at the bottom with no assets and only 1 goal scored, but that came in the 1-6 defeat on Saturday.
"We have a fantastic squad and whoever comes out is at an exceptional level. "I have an idea of the team I will field against Bulgaria," De la Fuente began. The Spaniards trained early in the morning at 11:00 on Monday, but the coach decided to hold his press conference late last night to make it available to the Bulgarian media.
The Spaniards are on a streak of 28 official matches without defeat and are determined to continue this streak tomorrow. "There are no free things in this team. We have a very competitive team. Our responsibility is to continue winning, the boys are very hungry for success. Tomorrow we can finally prepare a possible ranking."
De la Fuente was also asked how the controversy with Barcelona and other clubs, who complain about injuries to their main players, is going. A total of nine Spain players will not take part in the match, led by Lamine Yamal, and yesterday Ferran Torres was also dropped.
"We always take maximum care of the health of our players, we always have. The day after a match in the league, unfortunately, players get injured and it happens right when they are in the national team. Such are the circumstances in football. Especially for Ferran Torres - there is no injury, it is just a slight illness, but tomorrow we need all the players at 100 percent. We decided that Ferran will rest and recover as soon as possible.“
The match from Group "E" on the road to the World Cup is tonight at 9:45 p.m. at the "Jose Soria" stadium in Valladolid.
Spain defender Robin Le Normand is adamant that his team will not make any compromises and will play at 100 percent to continue their perfect start and virtually guarantee themselves a place in the World Cup.
“I really hope we win to continue this momentum. I am part of an incredible generation with incredible players. I try to give my best in this group. It is a luxury to share a dressing room with them“, began the Spanish central defender.
Speaking of the competition in the centre of defence and being the second most used player after Luis de la Fuente, he explained: “We won a lot of games together with Aymeric Laporte. We also did well with Dean Hausen and Pau Kubarsi. I try to give my best for each team, and then the coach makes his choice. And being the second most used player by the coach is a huge honour for me“.
He also made it clear that he doesn't want any bad results before the World Cup: "If possible, I don't want any. I want to win every game, be at my best and arrive at the World Cup in the strongest possible shape. I would like to never concede a goal, but the opponents are also playing their game. It will be up to us to continue this momentum. I am determined not to allow any surprises.“
Dani Vivian from Athletic Bilbao will play as a central defender against "the very weak Bulgarian team", as journalist Ivan Martin from okdiario stated yesterday during a live broadcast of the hosts' press conference.
Vivian is 26 years old and has only played nine games for the Spanish national team so far, and tonight he will partner Robin Le Normand from Atletico Madrid in the center of the Spanish defense.
The experiments of the coach of "La Furia Roja" Luis de la Fuente's selections are dictated by the nine players who have dropped out of the planned squad, as well as his desire to give a chance to people who have received fewer matches.
Marcos Llorente will play at right-back, while Alejandro Grimaldo will be on the left. The central defenders are Robin Le Normand and Danny Vivian. The Spaniards have doubts about the goalkeeper, with Unai Simón likely to start, but David Raya should not be ruled out.
In midfield, Martin Subimendi will try to help the defense, and in front of him, Pedri and Alex Baena will have creative duties. For Baena, this will be match number 12.
Meanwhile, the attack is expected to be led by Jorge de Frutos, Jesus Rodriguez and Borja Iglesias. Therefore, the entire attacking triangle will be changed. For Jesus Rodriguez – 19-year-old left winger from Como, the match against Bulgaria will be his second with the national team of the European champions.