Spain manager Luis de la Fuente had a special praise for goalkeeper Unai Simon after their 5-4 victory in the Nations League over France. The Athletic Club-Shot stopper made a number of rescues in the semi-final, which turned out to be crucial during the game.
Simon missed the first few months of the season after the operation, after Euro 2024 last summer. This season he is in a mixed form for Athletic and some have wondered if he should remain the number one of La Roja. He made six saves against France, including several while the game was 0-0. After the Spain victory, De La Fuente was at his number one Bullish.
“I am especially happy for Unai, who has long been mistreated and interrogated. I hope some people now recognize his courage,” he told Cadena Ser.
“We have three keepers who can all be starters. I am very happy with his performance. He is a player who has been mistreated and criticized, and he didn't earn it. His career is spectacular and he is a great teammate.”
Despite the fact that they admitted four goals, the players who could broadcast De La Fuente were his keeper and central defender, Dean Huijsen. The 20-year-old started his third consecutive game for Spain, but De la Fuente said he was not surprised by his performances.
“He is one of those players who has a maturity that shuns his age. He was not a discovery for us because we knew what he could do. He had his chance, and we know his potential, and that is why he is signed by Real Madrid. He proves that playing is a premium for this team because the level is extraordinary.”
The Spain manager would further say that he would sign a 5-4 victory in every match, after he was told that there might have been an atmosphere of frustration in the game that fell back in Jeopardy despite leading 5-1. La Roja faces Portugal in the final on Sunday, where De La Fuente said he was enthusiastic about, confronted with a 'very hard opponent', in a match with 'two sides like playing well'.