"It's impressive that 18 years later, Navas is still running the wing"

Spain and Albania will meet in the final matchday of Group B of Euro 2024. La Roja have already qualified first, while 'Las Aguilas' need a win to advance to the knockout rounds.

Albania coach Sylvinho spoke to AS ahead of the game and praised the figure of Jesus Navas: "It's impressive that 18 years later, he's still running the right flank, even though he's now playing at full-back. 

The Brazilian coach recalled the 2006 European Super Cup final between Sevilla and FC Barcelona, a match in which Navas was a winger for Sevilla and Sylvinho a left-back for Barcelona: "Jesus drove me crazy".

That match ended in a resounding 3-0 win for the Andalusians. Renato, Kanoute and Maresca scored. The now coach admitted: "You want to forget nights like the one in Monaco as far as possible, but of course I remember Jesus Navas".

"He is a very intelligent player, he has been able to renovate himself as a footballer and say: 'I'm older now and I have a bit less speed, but I can play further back'. And to learn to defend, which is not so easy, even at a certain age. The fact that he is here at the European Championship with Spain says a lot about him," he added.

He also gave some clues as to how Luis de la Fuente could use the Los Palacios man: "He knows that he can bring his experience to the dressing room and that as he played as a winger for so long, he always has the possibility of putting him alongside Carvajal and forming a great right-wing".

Finally, he said: "I hope Navas doesn't mess me up again. I don't think he'll play, will he? It is possible that De la Fuente could include the Sevilla man in the XI to give Dani Carvajal a rest, as Spain have done their homework and the Real Madrid full-back is suspended.