La Roja debuts in the World Cup with the firm conviction of being able to win it.Spain and Costa Rica face each other on the first day of group E, in a duel that will be played at the Al Thumama stadium, one of the most spectacular and modern scenarios of this Qatar World .
How does Spain arrive? “Then maybe we’ll crash into that wall, but we’re like airplanes.” The phrase is from Luis Enrique and does not stop repeating it in the concentration of the national team. Spain arrives in an optimal state of confidence to Qatar’s appointment, with the third youngest team in the championship, but with the experience and tranquillity that Luis Enrique gives players, the leader of a team that does not give up anything. On the sporting level, the main novelty may be in Rodri’s presence in the centre of the defence next to Laporte. He has done all the trainings in the centre position, which invites a defense made in Manchester City.
How Costa Rica arrives? Costa Rica also believes itself and far from feeling the debut with pessimism, Luis Fernando Suárez assures that the aspiration of Costa Rica is to win the World Cup. The Colombian coach has changed the face of a team, that a year ago was out of the World Cup and that with incredible recovery is again in the great World Cup event. Like Spain, Costa Rica is a mix of veterans and young people, with Keylor Navas and Bryan Ruiz as references in their last dance.
By Fernando Perez (Football Analyst, Spain)