Luis Enrique spoke to the press ahead of Spain’s Euro 2020 opener against Sweden on Monday.
On Christian Eriksen
On behalf of the whole national team, I would like to send a big hug to Eriksen, the Danish Football Association and all his team-mates. We hope to see him on the pitch soon.
First Euro 2020 game
The first game is about getting a feel for the competition. It’s not easy, because of many things and because it’s the first game. We hope to be at our best.
Spain squad
The years go by for everyone. Players are not eternal. I wasn’t thinking about a reshuffle, I was thinking about the players who fit my idea. I think we have a good mix. But I think we’ve got a good mix of youth and experience.
Experience
I have plenty of experience in big competitions, even if it’s my first European Championship. It’s a nice day for me, a very cool day. As a coach it’s different, because you have to make a lot of decisions.
Leadership
The national team doesn’t lack leadership, there are 23 who can do it. I am also one of the leaders, for better or worse. We make the decisions and if a coach is not a leader, it’s a bad sign. Every coach has to be a leader, but in this national team, everyone has to lead on the pitch. They have to take this forward. Our strength is the group and we are ready.
The plan
Our plan is to have the ball to create chances, control the game and regarding the opposition’s transitions, press in the opposition half and recover as close to their goal as possible. Honestly, I thought it would be hotter here in Seville. But maybe that’s a conditioning factor. We have trained in high temperatures in Madrid to be prepared.
Spain goalkeeper
The goalkeeper will be one of the three I have brought to the European Championship.
On whether he has had the time to cycle before Euro 2020
I don’t have too much time. I haven’t ridden my bike, but I’ll do it next month.
