Spain coach Luis de la Fuente expressed his confidence on Friday that midfielder Martin Zubimendi will be a reliable replacement for the injured Rodri Hernandez in the upcoming months.
Rodri, a vital player for both Manchester City and Spain, suffered a severe knee injury in September, ruling him out for the rest of the season. His presence in the holding midfield role was instrumental in Spain’s Euro 2024 triumph earlier this year.
During the tournament’s final against England in Berlin, Zubimendi, 25, replaced Rodri at half-time and helped Spain secure a 2-1 victory with two second-half goals. The Real Sociedad midfielder impressed in his role, contributing to Spain’s success.
“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 said during a news conference. “He’s got experience under his belt, he oozes security through every pore of his skin.”
The coach praised Zubimendi’s calm demeanor, noting, “Martin doesn’t get nervous… he’s a very mature player, so calm… Zubi is a sure bet, who never fails.”
Spain, currently second in group A4 of the Nations League, will face group leaders Denmark on Saturday in Murcia, followed by a match against Serbia in Cordoba on Tuesday. The team is dealing with other injury concerns as well, including the loss of Real Madrid right-back Dani Carvajal, who will also miss the season due to a knee injury, and winger Nico Williams, who is sidelined with a minor knock.
Despite these setbacks, De la Fuente emphasized that the squad remains strong: “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.”
“We’re not going to change anything in terms of our plan or our idea of football… the idea is very clear,” he added, reaffirming his confidence in the team’s tactical approach.
De la Fuente acknowledged that injuries are an inevitable part of the game, but they also open doors for other players. “Nobody is irreplaceable… those who get the chance, albeit for unfortunate reasons, it’s the time to take advantage of it,” he concluded.
