Soccer
Luis de la Fuente reveals remarkable lengths he went to study Marcelo Bielsa before Spain vs Uruguay
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Spain face Uruguay in their final World Cup group-stage match with top spot on the line.
Luis de la Fuente's side lead Group H after hammering Saudi Arabia 4-0, having drawn 0-0 with Cape Verde in their opener, while Uruguay, managed by Marcelo Bielsa, need a win having picked up two draws against Saudi Arabia (1-1) and Cape Verde (2-2).
Luis de la Fuente: "I spent months fliming all his training sessions"
The Spain manager spoke to the media ahead of the match and, as well as previewing the clash with Uruguay, shared one of the most remarkable stories of his career involving Marcelo Bielsa.
De la Fuente made no secret of his admiration for the Argentine coach and recalled how he decided to study his methods during Bielsa's time in charge of Athletic Club.
"I have been and still am a great admirer of Marcelo Bielsa. I have followed his career very closely," explained the Riojan manager, before recounting a period when he used his time without a club to study the Argentine's work up close.
"When he was manager at Athletic, I was out of work for 18 months and I spent 5 months — 4, 5 or 6 months — going to Lezama to watch all of Marcelo's training sessions," he admitted.
His dedication went well beyond mere observation: "I have all of those training sessions recorded throughout that entire period."
Bielsa's spell at Athletic, between 2011 and 2013, left a lasting mark for the intensity of his sessions and for the style of football he brought to the club, who reached the Europa League final and the Copa del Rey final in the 2011-12 season.
It was a body of work that attracted the attention of numerous managers and which De la Fuente wanted to study first-hand.
Beyond the reunion with Bielsa, the Spain manager also confirmed that he has his entire squad available for the match.
"All 26 players are fit to play," said De la Fuente, who will be able to call upon every member of his squad for a match in which Spain will be looking to maintain their place at the top of the group.
The clash with Uruguay will also be a meeting of two contrasting footballing philosophies, with two managers who both place great emphasis on preparation and tactical analysis.
De la Fuente will come face to face with one of the coaches who has influenced him most, though this time from the opposite touchline.
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