![How direct De la Fuente made Spain buck its idea up](https://cdn.magzter.com/1591272633/1720842656/articles/W_ncCf4fz1720860295994/HOW-DIRECT-DE-LA-FUENTE-MADE-SPAIN-BUCK-ITS-IDEA-UP.jpg)
One intervention was for goalkeeper Unai Simon to kick it long. Another was to work on set pieces, since De la Fuente's predecessor Luis Enrique had insisted he "didn't have time". These are rudimentarily pragmatic elements that seem to run against Spain's ideological purism, the pressing-possession that has dominated the game for 16 years, but that was part of the point.
By contrast, Enrique gave long instructional talks with a giant screen after sessions, which began to contribute to a sense of detachment and drift. This was the great frustration with his regime. It had seemed like a vibrant new era with a new generation but ended up falling to all of the same old flaws Spain have suffered since 2012.
The 2022 World Cup elimination to Morocco was a nadir because of how excessive possession again became a parody with a punchline rather than a knockout blow. The 2008-12 glory era was becoming a burden, having previously been a long-awaited watershed.
This is why Euro 2024 has been so satisfying for those in the country's football culture. It is not just a return to a major final for the first time since 2012 but the revitalisation of an idea. That idea simply required sharpening.
De la Fuente has done that. That is most obvious in the two exhilaratingly incisive young wingers. They were also part of an overhaul where De la Fuente showed his own edge after an initial 2-0 defeat by Scotland in that March 2023 break. The manager realised some of the ideas weren't immediately being grasped, so it was time to make grander changes.
The core idea persisted within, even if it had to evolve. That is quite a remarkable thing, especially as Rodri made such a point of putting his foot on the ball in the final moments against France to put Spain back in the final.
This story is from the July 13, 2024 edition of The Independent.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the July 13, 2024 edition of The Independent.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
!['I didn't think I'd make it'](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/22095/1829729/x4eZeDeQG1726122253187/I-DIDNT-THINK-ID-MAKE-IT.jpg)
'I didn't think I'd make it'
Adam Smith, the commentator with a voice synonymous with boxing’, tells Alex Pattle about his enforced absence from the sport and his agonising battle with cancer
![England charge back after early Australian fireworks](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/22095/1829729/ED9yWaEBc1726122191579/ENGLAND-CHARGE-BACK-AFTER-EARLY-AUSTRALIAN-FIREWORKS.jpg)
England charge back after early Australian fireworks
England weathered some early fireworks from Travis Head to restrict Australia to 179 in their series-opening T20 against Australia.
![Reeves must cut the gloom to return the UK to growth](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/22095/1829729/KyyHwe6MK1726122036635/REEVES-MUST-CUT-THE-GLOOM-TO-RETURN-THE-UK-TO-GROWTH.jpg)
Reeves must cut the gloom to return the UK to growth
Not many people are inclined to feel much sympathy for Rachel Reeves at the moment the cut to winter fuel payments could hardly have gone down worse but she’s been dealt a dismal hand. And now the economy has stalled on her.
![Stones opens up on Euros hurt and Harry's hundred.](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/22095/1829729/yb828pjQ41726122110507/STONES-OPENS-UP-ON-EUROS-HURT-AND-HARRYS-HUNDRED.jpg)
Stones opens up on Euros hurt and Harry's hundred.
Defender eyes century of caps as young Lions add energy’
![‘Age gap, schmage gap - it's a bit cringe, but love is love'](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/22095/1829729/VjUSLsxxY1726121857717/AGE-GAP-SCHMAGE-GAP-ITS-A-BIT-CRINGE-BUT-LOVE-IS-LOVE.jpg)
‘Age gap, schmage gap - it's a bit cringe, but love is love'
Harriet Dyer and Patrick Brammall are co-writers, co-stars, and married. They tell Ellie Harrison what it’s like to work together on their hit comedy series Colin from Accounts’
![How 'Funeral' cost Arcade Fire blood, sweat and tears](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/22095/1829729/r5O_9AXQm1726120404856/HOW-FUNERAL-COST-ARCADE-FIRE-BLOOD-SWEAT-AND-TEARS.jpg)
How 'Funeral' cost Arcade Fire blood, sweat and tears
Mark Beaumont talks to members of the band about how the seminal album was shaped by death, near-fatal live shows and the Montreal music scene, 20 years since its initial release
!['I realised he could kill me](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/22095/1829729/r_sw6sZFE1726120065066/I-REALISED-HE-COULD-KILL-ME.jpg)
'I realised he could kill me
After James Barr’s ex became abusive, the comedian ended up living in fear of his partner. He believes we need to talk more about domestic violence in the queer community
!['I use my fuel allowance to go out for dinner at The Ivy'](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/22095/1829729/RSNIBd7PM1726119958803/I-USE-MY-FUEL-ALLOWANCE-TO-GO-OUT-FOR-DINNER-AT-THE-IVY.jpg)
'I use my fuel allowance to go out for dinner at The Ivy'
As the backlash grows over the decision to cut the benefit for some pensioners, Zoe Beaty heads to Harrogate in Yorkshire where she nears two very different takes on Labour’s policy
![Where's a warm winter trip outside the Schengen area?](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/22095/1829729/TnigoyL6V1726119855147/WHERES-A-WARM-WINTER-TRIP-OUTSIDE-THE-SCHENGEN-AREA.jpg)
Where's a warm winter trip outside the Schengen area?
A Brexit really does keep on giving, doesn’t it? The decision to leave the European Union was followed by the UK securing its status as a “third country”, alongside Paraguay and East Timor, thereby making British travellers subject to all kinds of red tape.
![The thrilling tale of six days that changed Britain forever](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/22095/1829729/-EyElmB-K1726119647748/THE-THRILLING-TALE-OF-SIX-DAYS-THAT-CHANGED-BRITAIN-FOREVER.jpg)
The thrilling tale of six days that changed Britain forever
Ben Macintyre’s unputdownable new book The Siege’ tells the story of an SAS op like no other, writes Robert McCrum