Yahoo News How Luis Enrique has changed Spain
After disappointment in Russia, Spain are in superb shape ahead of tonight's game against England in Seville
So far, so good for Luis Enrique. The former Barcelona boss has led Spain to three wins out of three, with 12 goals scored and only two conceded. Optimism has returned for La Roja following a miserable World Cup campaign.
The results have been emphatic, too; the performances impressive. After beating England 2-1 at Wembley, Luis Enrique’s side trounced Croatia 6-0 in Elche a few days later and then thrashed Wales 4-1 in Cardiff on Friday.
If only the team had played like this in Russia, many have noted already. That ship has sailed now, but the future looks bright and it is fair to say that Luis Enrique is winning everyone over. Perhaps surprisingly so.
There were concerns when the 48-year-old took charge in July. His prickly relationship with the media was seen as a potential problem, while he is also considered to be “anti-Real Madrid” after leaving Los Blancos to join Barca for free in his playing days.
Match preview | Spain vs England
In pure coaching terms, however, he appeared ideal. First of all because there are not many elite managers available or even willing to work with national teams these days. And secondly, because he had already led a similar overhaul at Barca.
The brief from RFEF president Luis Rubiales was clear: do what you did at Barca for Spain. The Catalan club in 2013-14 had ended the season without a major trophy and in depression as their Tiki-Taka style was being found out.
An upgrade was needed and Luis Enrique provided it; he made Barca more direct and more effective. And they won the treble in his very first season at Camp Nou.
Spain set a record for the number of passes played in their last-16 loss to Russia at the World Cup, but La Roja – led by Fernando Hierro after Julen Lopetegui was sacked on the eve of the tournament following the announcement he would join Real Madrid straight afterwards – created few chances in what was a sterile showing as they crashed out on penalties.
“The playing style can evolve,” Luis Enrique said on the day of his unveiling with Spain. “I already did it at a big club: Barcelona. The national team should be like a club side. Tactically, there are many aspects that can be improved.”
In Pictures | England vs Spain | 08/09/18
In Pictures | England vs Spain | 08/09/18
1/37
Getty Images
2/37
Getty Images
3/37
AFP/Getty Images
4/37
AFP/Getty Images
5/37
AFP/Getty Images
6/37
Getty Images
7/37
Getty Images
8/37
AFP/Getty Images
9/37
Getty Images
10/37
Getty Images
11/37
Getty Images
12/37
AFP/Getty Images
13/37
Getty Images
14/37
Getty Images
15/37
AFP/Getty Images
16/37
Getty Images
17/37
Getty Images
18/37
AFP/Getty Images
19/37
AFP/Getty Images
20/37
Getty Images
21/37
AFP/Getty Images
22/37
Getty Images
23/37
Getty Images
24/37
Getty Images
25/37
AFP/Getty Images
26/37
Getty Images
27/37
AFP/Getty Images
28/37
AFP/Getty Images
29/37
Getty Images
30/37
AFP/Getty Images
31/37
Getty Images
32/37
AFP/Getty Images
33/37
Getty Images
34/37
Getty Images
35/37
Getty Images
36/37
Getty Images
37/37
AFP/Getty Images
Some players have gone as well. Andres Iniesta and David Silva both walked away from international duty after the World Cup, along with Gerard Pique. Surprisingly, though, none have truly been missed so far.
Luis Enrique has made Atletico Madrid’s Saul Niguez a fixture in his side. The 23-year-old is a player reminiscent of his coach, an all-terrain box-to-box midfielder who makes intelligent runs, defends, attacks, scores goals and has bags of energy.
Saul perhaps symbolises the style change better than anyone. Spain still stroke the ball around as well as they always did, but there appears to be more of purpose now. More urgency. And there is the feeling that there is a clean slate, with chances for any player on form, although Jordi Alba has been one notable absentee.
“Luis Enrique is a very serious coach,” Paco Alcacer – one of those recently recalled to the setup – said this week. “He is direct, he tells you things clearly with what he wants and what he doesn’t. That is good for the players.”
The football is more direct, too. The transitions are quicker, the pressing is intense, the attacks more varied. Luis Enrique is keen for his teams have the ball, but also to get it forward as quickly as possible. At times, the idea is even to invite the rival to attack and then take advantage of those spaces. The Asturian is less of a purist, but his football is proving to be effective.
And he has created an atmosphere that is more akin to a club environment, with long sessions, social activities for squad bonding, no returning home at weekends and players staying all together on site. So far, it is working wonders, while the idea that he may be biased against Madrid's players has also been debunked.
Against Croatia, six Real players started. "I'm not interested in the club they play for," the coach said when asked afterwards. "They are all national team players."
One of those is skipper Sergio Ramos and the defender is clearly pleased with the team's progress. “Spain have had some tournaments that were not positive at all,” he said on Sunday. “After the World Cup, morale was low, but there has been a change.
“We have recovered our order and our discipline, and also the results. The national team is shining again and the spirit is back.”
Heavy police presence in Seville ahead of England's match against Spain
All of that is thanks to Luis Enrique. It is still early days, but the Spain coach has overseen a subtle style change which is making La Roja quicker, slicker, more prolific and less predictable. England face a huge challenge on Monday night.
