Spain 'free to dream' at Euro 2024 but must stay grounded, says De la Fuente

La Roja topped Group B – thought by many to be the most difficult group at the tournament – with nine points and no goals conceded, beating Albania 1-0 in their third match on Monday despite resting most of their star players, courtesy of Ferran Torres' goal.

They have become just the second team to win all three group-stage matches at a Euros tournament to nil, after eventual champions Italy at the delayed 2020 edition.

It is also the first time La Roja have ever gone through an entire group stage at a major tournament (World Cup or Euros) without conceding.

With his team now being tipped as one of the favourites to lift the trophy for a record-breaking fourth time, De la Fuente has warned against complacency.

"We are all free to dream, but we have to keep our feet on the ground. Being considered favourites doesn't guarantee you anything," De la Fuente said.

"We welcome the fact that people value the work we are doing and recognise the talent of this generation. Winning all three games, with clean sheets in all three, 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."

???? ???? ???????????: 25 JuneAhead of today's Euro 2024 Group C & D matches, here's the latest tournament projections by the Opta supercomputer.#Euro2024

— Opta Analyst (@OptaAnalyst) June 25, 2024

Spain's last-16 tie will be played at the RheinEnergieStadion in Cologne on Sunday, though they must wait to discover the identity of their opponents.

They will face a third-place finisher from Group A, D, E or F, meaning their foes will not become clear until the final two groups have concluded on Wednesday.

That does not sit well with De la Fuente, who added: "Now we will have to spend a night awake because of the short time we have to study the next opponent.

"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.