This has been a World Cup for remembrances. Of Diego Maradona, Paulo Rossi, Gerd Mueller and Pele who hasn’t travelled. Of Grzegorz Lato: he lives a retired life and is able to give interviews in regards to the World Cup, mentioned a Polish journalist of the 1974 Golden Boot winner. On Sunday, it was additionally about Luis Enrique’s daughter Xana who would have turned 13 on the day Spain performed out a 1-1 draw in opposition to Germany on the Al Bayt Stadium.
Maradona has been current in flags holding the World Cup with a smile brighter than the midday solar. He was referred to by Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni two years to the day he died. In response to Argentine Sergio Levinsky, who has written a e book on him and is right here for his tenth World Cup as a journalist, the journey having begun in 1986, although his absence is a reduction for Lionel Messi. “Think about him being on the stadium when Argentina misplaced to Saudi Arabia,” he mentioned right here on Sunday.
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Like Maradona, Rossi, the Golden Boot and Golden Ball winner of 1982 died in 2020. Italy should not right here however you will see sufficient folks of a sure classic at stadium media centres reminiscing about into his hattrick in opposition to Brazil in 1982 normally when conversations veer to an upset consequence. Ditto Mueller, who died in August 2021, particularly after Niclas Fuellkrug, who was taking part in within the Bundesliga second division in 2021, stored them respiratory with a striker’s aim paying homage to Der Bomber.
Enrique was requested in English about Xana, who died in August 2019 after a nine-month battle with a uncommon type of bone most cancers. It had led to a novel present of solidarity from East Bengal and Mohun Bagan’s Spanish coaches, Alejandro Menendez and Kibu Vicuna saying their ideas have been along with his household earlier than speaking a few Kolkata derby.
“For one thing so private, I would favor talking in Spanish,” he mentioned. “You attempt to reside with the state of affairs usually,” mentioned the Spain coach. “We giggle and take into consideration how she would react in every state of affairs we expertise.” Enrique mentioned Xana remains to be current amongst them on daily basis “although we don’t have her bodily. Life isn’t just about glad moments. It’s also about understanding find out how to handle moments comparable to these,” he mentioned.
Enrique and Hansi Flick had hugged “3 times”, a journalist identified to the Germany supervisor earlier than asking what they spoke about. “Let that keep non-public for now,” mentioned Flick. “I recognize him as a coach and as a participant. He is a good man and I like the best way he will get Spain to play.”
The mutual respect was evident in how the groups had squared off; Germany’s life being made a contact simpler by Costa Rica beating Japan earlier within the day. “I believe we deserved a degree,” mentioned Flick describing the competition as one the place each groups have been on the identical degree. Spain know find out how to play soccer and began properly however we pushed again. That is what we wish to see within the subsequent match,” mentioned Flick.
Enrique mentioned it was “bit unhappy” that they couldn’t seal qualification to the spherical of 16 which they might have had Dani Olmo’s shot not been saved by Manuel Neuer within the seventh minute after which Nico Schlotterbeck not intercepted Alvaro Morata whereas the striker was on aim. “However I’m glad that in such a tough group we at the moment are on the high.”
The dedication Flick spoke of was summed up by Fuellkrug’s effort. Thomas Mueller as lone striker wasn’t making an influence and Spain have been main by Alvaro Morata’s glorious flicked effort within the 63rd minute when Flick made a triple substitution, Leroy Sane and Lukas Klostermann being the opposite two, within the seventieth minute. 13 minutes later, Germany have been degree. “It’s too early to say whether or not Fuellkrug will begin in opposition to Costa Rica however he confirmed he is aware of find out how to smash targets,” mentioned Flick. “I do know him, he’s an excellent striker,” mentioned Morata. “I hope we don’t must face him once more,”
Flick didn’t overlook to level out that Sane might have received the sport for Germany. Sane didn’t begin as a result of given his current damage, Flick mentioned he wasn’t certain “he would have the ability the keep the depth of 90 minutes.” Deep within the second half, Sane was by means of on aim with solely Unai Simon to beat however the Spain keeper reduce out the angle for a cut-back to Fuellkrug.
With Spain practically by means of, Enrique was requested whether or not he would area his greatest 11 in opposition to Japan. “I can let you know we won’t speculate in regards to the consequence. Whoever performs, we’ll play to win in opposition to Japan,” he mentioned.
Not eager on speaking about people – requested whether or not Morata was a job mannequin, the Spain coach mentioned all 26 gamers right here have been – Enrique made an exception for 34-year-old Sergio Busquets. A part of the World Cup successful marketing campaign in 2010, Enrique mentioned he would request the midfielder to remain for an additional World Cup. “We solely enhance when he’s on the sector,” he mentioned.