Luis de la Fuente: We are here and we'll fight for gold

The Spanish men's Olympic football team is gearing up for the tournament. They first have a friendly against hosts Japan on Saturday at 12.20pm local time. Then the hour of truth will arrive from the 22nd, when they face Egypt, Australia and Argentina.

Luis de la Fuente called up 22 players, including six who were at Euro 2022 - Unai Simon, Eric Garcia, Pau Torres, Pedri, Dani Olmo and Oyarzabal). Barca are represented with Garcia, Pedri and Oscar Mingueza.

“We have a great base of players and, now we’re here, we’re going to go for gold. It’s our objective, we don’t feel pressure for the great job the national team did in the Euros,” said the coach.

Covid-19 meant the Olympics were delayed a year and there will be no fans.

“We have to understand that this is what we have to live through,” said De la Fuente. “We are acclimating to the situation, when we train tomorrow on the pitch and after we’ll focus on the Egypt game, we’ll take it on better. It’s a unique and historic opportunity and in whatever circumstance, they don’t stop being Olympic Games.”