Slaven Bilic believes the current Spain side possesses a deadly new dimension compared to the 2010 vintage thanks to Lamine Yamal.
Croatia resume their UEFA Nations League campaign on the back of a hard-fought 1-2 victory over the Czech Republic. Next up for the Balkan side is a heavyweight showdown with a Spain outfit buoyed by a thrilling 2-3 triumph against England, with Slaven Bilic running the rule over the contest in his pre-match press conference.
Spain 2010 or the current crop?: “That side were also world and European champions. Football has evolved, though the midfield remains similar. What the 2010 team lacked was Lamine Yamal and that explosive pace. They relied far more heavily on tiki-taka. This side can play tiki-taka as well, but they marry possession with lightning transitions through Lamine. That alone underlines just how highly I rate Yamal.”
‘La Roja’s identity: “Spain will remain true to their philosophy, and as world champions they have an obligation to play that way. They respect their opponents, and I have no doubt they will put on a show. I don’t expect them to switch off, but we certainly don’t intend to be mere guests at their party. For our players, who have plenty of quality, there is no greater privilege than testing themselves against the very best in the world.”
The match: “A football match is like a lifetime; it is a long battle. There are always periods where you simply have to dig deep and suffer. Against the Czech Republic, we should have weathered that storm far better, and we cannot afford to repeat those errors. We must remain compact. They will dominate possession, but they cannot control every single phase. We need to produce our performance of the year, keep the faith, and with a touch of luck, we can pull it off.”
Modric versus Rodri: “These are two Ballon d’Or winners. I have shared a close bond with Luka for many years, and I wouldn’t say a single negative word about Rodri. But Bielsa once remarked that Modric is a 6, an 8, and a 10 all rolled into one—a 24. Rodri is the best number 6 on the planet, but fundamentally he remains a 6. Elite players reach the pinnacle through sheer technical quality and spatial awareness. They could complement each other seamlessly, even if they appear to occupy the same zone on paper. Put them in the same squad, and both would start.”
