The Asturian coach, who made only one substitution in the eleven, had a hard time with the outcome of the match
Luis Enrique says he’s not a superstitious man, but his tics betray him. The Asturian vibrates with his team from the bench, repeating gestures and routines that keep him on edge. Against Germany, he showed the usual back catalogue, including the pre-match conversation with José Francisco Molina and Luis Rubiales, first accompanied by some of his coaching staff and then just the three of them. It is also not surprising that Luis Enrique spares a few minutes to meditate or relax before jumping onto the pitch. That didn’t change the hulking Al Bayt, nor his habit of not repeating the lineup, even though he opted for a single variation this time. Exactly the same as he did in the last Eurocup.
Dressed in sneakers, dark trousers and a halftime jersey, befitting the peaceful night in the Qatari desert, the coach received a loud ovation when he was mentioned over the loudspeaker. It seems that his success as a ‘streamer’ has earned him a lot of fan sympathy.
Personally, it was not an easy day for him. He kicked it off with a bike march with rehabilitator Lorenzo del Pozo and sent an emotional message to his daughter Xana, who would have turned 13 yesterday.
It took him a minute and 37 seconds to jump off the bench and just three to make his first tactical decision, moving his three men from above because something didn’t quite suit him. These kinds of decisions are always discussed with Rafel Pol, his confidant. He’s not a fussy man. Rather the opposite. He alternates his hands in his pockets with his arms folded, gestural poses he only gives up to applaud his players on recovery or point out the best overtaking lane. He stays calm when his team gets caught up trying to get the ball away from behind, and when it’s Spain’s turn to defend, he crouches down and takes the opportunity to drink a bottle of water. They also do not address him for leaving the technical room. He is disciplined in this. Only once did he take four more steps to give a specific instruction to Carvajal.
The outcome of the first act, yes, unleashed his nerves. With Ferran’s very clear chance, he put his hands on his head. From there open arms, disapproving gestures and new visits to the bank. It may be a matter of experience or a sixth sense, but he anticipated Germany’s goal in the first half and then disallowed it. Before launch, he stiffened his body as he screamed like a madman trying to get something indecipherable for his players. As soon as they scored, he hid on the bench.
Until his departure, it was Jesús Casas who decided the attack strategy. There was even technical relief so that the man from Cádiz could better give his instructions. Now that position has been orphaned, at least for the gallery. Luis Enrique often seeks advice on the couch with glances and fleeting visits.
The first change was very obvious. Something was wrong with him in Ferran and he called Pol to activate the change for Morata. Playing masterfully. At the target, he jumps up with his arm until he reaches the hug with his second. Then the rest of the coaching staff joins in and forms a group similar to that of the players.
The plan for the next changes is established before the target and does not change it. Germany’s goal, the valid one, leads him to put his arms on his hips before stepping onto the sofa, swearing. He no longer seems so happy with his decisions or with what he sees on the field. The match ended with a long hug with Hansi Flick, which showed the mutual admiration. He then greeted his boys as he took the opportunity to correct them. First of all Cook. “I saw a better first half, but we lacked the confidence to realize we could do more damage to Germany. We couldn’t control the game, we went through a tour and they caught us in a mistake,” said the coach.
Source: La Verdad
I am Shawn Partain, a journalist and content creator working for the Today Times Live. I specialize in sports journalism, writing articles that cover major sporting events and news stories. With a passion for storytelling and an eye for detail, I strive to be accurate and insightful in my work.
