Spain must keep feet on the ground after perfect group stage says coach

DUESSELDORF, Germany : Spain must not get carried away with their Euro 2024 title chances after their second string beat Albania 1-0 on Monday to wrap up a perfect group stage, manager Luis de la Fuente said.

After wins against Croatia and holders Italy had already assured Spain of a last-16 spot as winners of a tough Group B, De la Fuente made 10 changes and they still managed to secure a third consecutive victory, all with a clean sheet.

When asked about his side being favourites to win the tournament, De la Fuente said that despite welcoming the praise his side would not fall into the trap of being overconfident.

"We are all free to dream ... but we have to keep our feet on the ground - being considered favourites doesn't guarantee anything," he told a press conference.

"We welcome the fact that people value the work we are doing and recognise the talent of this generation. That means that we are considered to be good.

"Winning all three games, clean sheets in all three of those, it's extremely difficult ... But let's not get carried away. We know how things work in Spain ... one day you're at the top and the next day you're worthless."

De la Fuente was glad he could give opportunities to all but his third-choice goalkeeper Alex Remiro in the group stage and was confident his side was ready for the knockout stage despite not liking having to wait to learn who they will play next.

"If we already sleep two or three hours a day, now we will have to spend a night awake because of the short time we have to study the next opponent," De la Fuente said.

"Of course we have room for improvement, it's a principle that we have established in the dressing room. We are not satisfied and this group is very ambitious.

"But in any case, we'll