Spain supervisor Jorge Vilda has vowed his staff will come collectively and ‘combat even extra’ after star participant Alexia Putellas was dominated out of Euro 2022 on the eve of the event with an ACL injury.
Spain are heralded as many individuals’s favourites at this summer season’s European Championship after having fun with sustained success at youth degree for the previous decade, breezing by means of qualifying and boasting the backbone of the Barcelona staff of their 23-player squad.
However, their probabilities of lifting a maiden main trophy suffered a setback on Tuesday when Putellas injured her left knee in coaching. Tests revealed it to be an ACL rupture, and the playmaker was compelled to withdraw from the squad simply three days earlier than Spain’s Euro 2022 marketing campaign kicks off.
“The day before yesterday was not the best: it was a big shock, a huge blow for everyone: for the team and for [Alexia], thinking about what she’s going to miss,” Vilda stated.
“But the next day, 48 hours before our first match, the team met, it came together, united and made a promise. We can’t let the sadness and anger over what has happened [affect us]. There is no choice but to come together, be stronger, and fight even more.”
Spain’s Euro 2022 hopes had already been dealt a blow in June when all-time prime scorer Jenni Hermoso was dominated out of the event after spraining a ligament in her knee, with Putellas including to her facet’s injury absentees.
La Roja start their Euro 2022 marketing campaign on Friday towards Finland, and Vilda admitted whereas Putellas’ loss was one felt by the staff, he was assured he nonetheless possessed a squad able to competing in her absence.
“It’s not just football; it’s about the group too. Hers is an absence we feel,” the Spain coach said of Putellas. “But I want to show total confidence in the 23 players we have: there are alternatives and quite a few players who can play on the inside left of midfield.
“Our philosophy comes above all else and we have 23 players who can play that way perfectly.”
