Spain’s manager, Luis de la Fuente, has full confidence in Martin Zubimendi to step up in the absence of injured star midfielder Rodri Hernandez. Rodri, a crucial player for Spain, suffered a severe knee injury in September that will sideline him for the remainder of the season. His absence is a significant blow, especially after his stellar performance in Spain’s Euro 2024 triumph this summer.
Zubimendi, a 25-year-old midfielder for Real Sociedad, has already proven his worth. He made a significant impact in the Euro 2024 final, replacing the injured Rodri at halftime and playing a key role in Spain’s 2-1 victory over England. De la Fuente was particularly impressed by Zubimendi’s composure and experience, praising his ability to seamlessly step into Rodri’s shoes. “Zubimendi has been playing (brilliant) games for a long time, if Rodri is the best player then Zubimendi is the second best in this position,” De la Fuente stated. “He’s got experience under his belt, he oozes security through every pore of his skin. “Martin doesn’t get nervous… he’s a very mature player, so calm… Zubi is a sure bet, who never fails.”
Despite the absence of Rodri and other key players, including Dani Carvajal and Nico Williams, De la Fuente remains optimistic. “We’re not going to cry, we’re not going to make excuses about missing players, the ones who are here are very good too, also the best (players in the world) for me,” he said. “Whoever is playing tomorrow in the place of Nico, or Rodri, or Dani, are absolutely great… they will give us more tactical richness. “We’re not going to change anything in terms of our plan or our idea of football… the idea is very clear.”
De la Fuente acknowledges that injuries are an unfortunate part of football, but he sees them as opportunities for other players to shine. “Nobody is irreplaceable… those who get the chance, albeit for unfortunate reasons, it’s the time to take advantage of it,” he added. Spain, the reigning Nations League champions, are set to face Denmark in Murcia on Saturday and Serbia in Cordoba on Tuesday. With Zubimendi ready to step into the spotlight, Spain is prepared to continue its winning ways, despite the challenges they face.
