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Spain vs England: Luis Enrique has plenty of respect for ‘English teacher’ Gareth Southgate

Spain's coach Luis Enrique (L) and England's manager Gareth Southgate (R): AFP/Getty Images
Spain's coach Luis Enrique (L) and England's manager Gareth Southgate (R): AFP/Getty Images

Spain coach Luis Enrique has praised England boss Gareth Southgate ahead of the teams’ Uefa Nations League clash in Seville on Monday and joked that he is picking up free language lessons by listening to his counterpart speak in press conferences.

Luis Enrique took over as Spain coach after the nation’s disappointing World Cup campaign in the summer and led La Roja to a 2-1 win over England at Wembley last month in his first match in charge.

An emphatic 6-0 victory over World Cup finalists Croatia followed three days later in Elche and his Spain side impressed again as they thrashed Wales 4-1 in a friendly in Cardiff on Friday.

Victory at home to England in Seville tonight would ensure a place in the semi-finals of the Nations League for Spain, while a draw would all but guarantee their progress to the last four.

Despite their problems at the World Cup, Spain’s style of football is a benchmark for England as Southgate aims to move towards a more technical approach with the Three Lions.

Spain v England: Match preview

“I like Gareth Southgate as a coach,” Luis Enrique said in the pre-match press conference on Sunday. “I have followed him a lot, also because that way, I get a free English teacher when I listen to his press conferences.”

Luis Enrique was among the candidates considered by both Arsenal and Chelsea in the summer and the former Barcelona boss looks certain to manage in the Premier League at some stage.

And on a more serious note, the Asturian said: “I like England and what their coach, Southgate, transmits. He adapts to his players, he likes to have the ball, he has just renewed his contract and that means he is doing things well.

“I wish him all the luck in the world, but from after tomorrow!”

Luis Enrique also believes Southgate’s side has improved since reaching the semi-finals of the World Cup in Russia just a few months ago.

“One of England’s virtues is their ability at set plays,” he said. “We have to be attentive and ensure that they have the least number of free-kicks and corners possible. Our objectives are to have the ball and to play far away from our goal.

“England are better than they were at the World Cup.”

Spain skipper Sergio Ramos also spoke to the media ahead of the game against England.

The Real Madrid defender was booed by England supporters at Wembley for his role in Mohamed Salah’s injury in the Champions League final against Liverpool in May and the centre-back could face another hostile reception from travelling fans on Monday, while he will also be playing at the home of Betis – fierce rivals of his former club Sevilla.

“It’s the first time I have sat here in the press room at the Benito Villmarin,” he said. “Last year, after my goal against Betis, part of the fanbase applauded me. Betis have great fans and it’s always a pleasure to return to Seville, even if it is to play the rival of the team where I started out.”

And asked about the threat posed by England and Spurs striker Harry Kane in particular, he said: "England had a fantastic World Cup. They have a lot of personality despite being very young, and offensively they are very dangerous.

"Harry Kane is a very good player. We have to keep his scoring drought going because that will be a good sign for us."