Luis Enrique's phrase that generated controversy: “I don't think we need to play against teams from another continent, those from Europe are of the highest level”

The dream of all the national teams by the end of the year is to have the long-awaited World Cup in their hands. With less than a week before the group draw, the last quotas of the 32 teams that will be in the pots to participate in Qatar. Preparation is a key factor and according to Lionel Scaloni, facing rivals from other continents is essential to get to the top football competition in the best way. However, Luis Enrique gave the European point of view and contradicted the opinion of the Argentine coach.

The trigger was generated by a question from a Brazilian journalist to the Spain coach. “Since 2018, the Spanish national team only played against European teams. If you think that this will be necessary for you, to face teams with another football culture”, consulted the emissary of TNT Sports Brasil. To which Luis confidently replied: “I don't think so, the truth is that I don't. I don't think we need to play against teams from another continent. The ones in Europe are luckily of the highest level. In fact, I think I remember that in the last World Cup the four semifinalists were European.”

Enrique tried not to take credit for the power of teams from South America. “It is clear that there are teams of a level like Brazil, Argentina, Ecuador, Uruguay that can be and that are at the highest level but I don't think it will be a problem for us. The day we have to compete against them, we will try to do it in the best way. It will be very difficult, for sure, but I don't think it's a problem,” the Spanish coach closed the topic.

Before the international window in March, Scaloni gave his opinion on the possibility of facing European teams. “It is clear that we are interested in playing with non-South American teams. That's what we're working on. But the other teams are also waiting to qualify and then build the friendlies that are few and this year the preparation time for the World Cup is quite ridiculous. You have to use the good test matches,” said Lionel.

On the horizon of Argentina, the last date of the South American qualifiers against Ecuador will appear on Tuesday, March 29 as a visitor and the Finalissima against Italy on June 1 at Wembley Stadium. Within the possibilities that exist for the preparation for the World Cup in Qatar, the Albiceleste coach did not rule out the possibility of concentrating on Europe: “It is true that we could use the June date if we don't manage to get other teams to play. Get together after the match with Italy and train. But I'm not going to cut off your holidays. Rest is sacred to them and it must be so.”

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