Rainy morning in the Las Rozas Soccer City. Of those who throw back. But also frantic. Interview day before Spain face the quarterfinals of the Nations League against Holland. Major words. Luis de la Fuente’s men parade among journalists anxious to ask them. The early riser is Morata and the latest one David Raya who sat down to dialogue with Okdiario.
David Raya (1995, Barcelona) awaits us sitting and relaxed in one of the rooms than the Federation He has struggled to enable the media on a complicated day. It is always complicated when weather does not accompany. The goalkeeper of Arsenal It faces this tie after opening the debate of a goal that seemed closed by Unai Simonbut Catalan has not hesitated to take their opportunity in a Nations League that carries your signature.
Question: The first question is forced. In what mess they have put Luis de la Fuente, right?
Answer: It is clear that we are talking about the goal, but hey, I think it’s something nice for everyone. I think every coach wants to have difficult things. I think it’s very nice that there is that debate.
Q: I imagine no, but Luis de la Fuente has already told them more or less what their plan in the goal is?
A: No, he hasn’t said anything. After all, we are here for the three that we are here. We are here to help the team and any of the three to play, it will be there to try to help the maximum and be able to qualify for the semifinals.
Q: What is clear is that this League of Nations, removing the last game, carries its seal. Would it hurt you a little not to be against Holland?
A: It is clear that we all want to play. I believe that I have been lucky, so to speak, because Unai had to operate and I have been able to take advantage of it. That is already the decision of the Mr.. We will be there to help, either inside or out of the field, but it is clear that it is something I want. I want to play, we come here to help the team. Any player would lie to you if he said he doesn’t want to play.
David Raya in the match against Albania. (Getty)Q: I mentioned Unai. How is your relationship within the locker room? How do you value that treatment that both of them compete for the same position?
A: We have a very good relationship. From the first day I arrived he received myself with open arms. It has helped me a lot to integrate. We have a very good relationship outside and within the field. It will not change the fact that the three goalkeepers are fighting for a position. After all, the decision is made by the Mr.. We are friends inside and off the field.
Q: Now that he speaks of Remiro. How important is it in the locker room?
A: We are lucky to have a fantastic group, with incredible human quality. Remiro is Top, as much as a goalkeeper and person. He is a great person. Help in everything you can, is there to get a smile, make you laugh and, above all, support inside and outside the field. It is clear that he is a great goalkeeper and is an aid for everyone.
Q: He talked about the group. Luis de la Fuente mentions the word team a lot. Does the power of this Spanish team fall on the group’s strength?
A: Yes, I think it’s a great advantage. From the outside you can see how good it is to be within this team. Many of us have said it, this selection is not just a selection, it is a family. And the truth is that that helps you a lot. Winning the League of Nations, having won the Eurocup, those 45 days that we have been together, makes you known to your classmates, but always with good vibes and many laughs. It is a very important weapon we have.
Q: It takes a long time out of Spain, knows perfectly what this country is like. Is it an important responsibility to represent Spain, especially with everything that means for the Spaniards?
Q: Yes, I think we are the public face of the National Team and we have to give example both inside and outside the field. It is gratifying that the whole country joins us to play, to go out with the flag and the Spanish shirt. It is something very nice and very special. After winning the League of Nations and the Eurocup, the happiness we have brought to Spain is something incredible. We did not realize how big it was until we arrived in Madrid, when we saw all the people in the streets. We are proud to have brought so much happiness to the country.
David Raya, in a training. (RFEF/Pablo García)Q: Footballically, possibly the best moment of his career was the day they arrived in Madrid?
A: Yes, in the end it was very special. We started the Eurocup without much expectation of the people. No one gave us as favorites. They talked about England, France, even Holland. But that helped us be without pressure, knowing how good we are. The classification we made was perfect. And the way we reach the final, the football we play, and the selections against which we pass, such as Germany and France, all were candidates to win. When we won, happiness was immense. It is very difficult to explain with words, it is something you have to live.
Q: Are they considered the best selection in the world?
A: We feel like a great team, with the ability to win anyone, but in the world there are very powerful selections. We know that any team can win, but we have a great team and incredible human quality. If we do things well, we can win anyone.
Q: He is a goalkeeper with a very marked game style with his feet, almost like a libero. Has that caused you to fight certain stereotypes of what is expected of a goalkeeper?
A: Yes, football has evolved a lot. The goalkeeper’s position has changed on a large scale. Today, the goalkeepers need different qualities than we had 10 or 20 years ago. In my club, Arsenal, we played a lot with the ball on the feet. I, for example, act almost like a central in some plays. Football continues to evolve, and the foot game is essential for the goalkeepers today, even from the lower categories.
