Athletic Club and Spain defender Dani Vivian has revealed that no-one puts in quite the same emotion into their games as captain Alvaro Morata. The experienced forward took on the armband under Luis Enrique, and while he has scored just once at Euro 2024, has been getting through plenty of work.
Despite receiving criticism from outside the Spain camp, his Spain teammates seem to regard him with great affection, uniting behind him whenever given the chance.
“We are forutunate tp have Alvaro, it’s a privilege. We couldn’t be more grateful. The way he defends is his way of living every day. You couldn’t be more committed. He finishes the games almost in tears because he has such a huge desire for everything to go well, which he shows on the pitch. Our forward is our first defender and that speaks highly of him.”
🚨🇦🇷🇪🇸 Diego Simeone is excited about Samu Omorodion. He sees him as the new Memphis Depay – a forward as a starter alongside Griezmann.@marca pic.twitter.com/LobmWGE9Bz
— Atletico Universe (@atletiuniverse) July 11, 2024
Vivian, who is at his first major tournament at the international level, is the leader of Athletic’s defence all the same, but was asked to define the leadership present in the Spain squad.
“In the end, we all work for the common good. Each one has their own personality and it is good that there are people who show different things: their experience, their innocence, their tendency to let themselves go. I mean that everything follows an established pattern so that everything goes well. Each player has their role.”
While Spain have not always connected with the Basque Country due to the strong Basque identity, there has been little problem with that this time round. Over a third of the squad hails from the northern powerhouse.
“There are nine of us Basques and, beyond ideologies, there is a passion for football. In the Basque Country, football is highly valued and we are doing it.”
"Harry Kane is one of the best forwards there is."
"The English team has decisive players up front and they can do a lot of damage with just sparks. We must keep a close eye on them."
🗣️Spain centre-back Dani Vivian #Euro2024 #England #LaRoja pic.twitter.com/Gb0LXgdNH5
— Football España (@footballespana_) July 11, 2024
Meanwhile just three days before the Euro 2024 final, his president at Athletic, Jon Uriarte, launched a scathing attack on the Spanish Federation and Barcelona for the constant speculation surrounding Nico Williams future. Vivian was not convinced it was having much of an impact though.
“Well, I’m sure that Nico is focused on the tournament. He looks very calm, enjoying what he is achieving and what we are achieving. Everything that is being whipped up from outside, apart from the fact that it is not good for anyone, I think he is going through with peace of mind. He knows that he has the support of his family, of his brother. He looks confident and focused on Sunday’s final.”
#AthleticClub President Jon Uriarte has complained about the treatment of Nico Williams.
He says the Spanish Federation have not protected him from the 'bombardment' of questions about his future, in an 'excessive' and 'uncontrolled' manner. #FCBarcelonapic.twitter.com/Qv1EoefKrK
— Football España (@footballespana_) July 11, 2024
Vivian is unlikely to start on Sunday against England, but did come on and play well against France in the closing stages. Robin Le Normand and Dani Carvajal are back from suspension, and both are expected to come straight back into the team, alongside Aymeric Laporte and Marc Cucurella.
