Luis Enrique is certain that Spain will qualify for next year's World Cup, but he is now concentrating on moving through the play-offs rather than finishing first in their qualifying group.
La Roja's chances of winning Group B were shattered on Thursday when they were defeated 2-1 by Sweden, putting them two points behind the leaders and having played an additional game. Spain had not lost a World Cup qualifying match since a 1-0 loss to Denmark in 1993, which ended a 66-game unbeaten streak.
Luis Enrique believes that winning the group is out of his team's reach at this point in the season, and has shifted his attention to obtaining second place and a play-off berth.
“Football is a game of mistakes; individual and collective,” the head coach stated to the media ahead of Sunday's encounter against Georgia.
“There is no single reason why we lost the game against Sweden. It's the totality of all things.
“It's no longer our decision. However, it is up to us to win our own match and qualify for the play-offs, then win it and qualify for the World Cup.
“There are two sides to every story. You may always improve, but I try to keep my eyes on the half-empty bottle.”
Luis Enrique also backed Eric Garcia, the defender who was criticized after his performance against Sweden.
He remarked of the Barcelona defender, "I disagree with the critique."
“He, as well as [Aymeric] Laporte, suffered through the transitions as a result of the Swedes' conditions. I'm blown away with their performance.”
