The Spain head coach was clear that simply reaching the final is already a privilege, even as he made no secret of his side's determination to lift the trophy.
"It's a privilege to be in a final. I would sign up to reach it every year and lose it, because that would mean always being in the fight to win it. We are going to enjoy this moment against a huge rival. We have the mentality to be able to compete," the coach of La Rioja said.
De la Fuente expects a top-level contest between two sides he sees as sharing many similarities.
"I think it's going to be a great spectacle. I see two super-teams with a lot of similar behaviours and talents. Each side will try to take the game to the terrain that suits them best, but in the first instance we're looking for talent and brilliance. The referees are there for us to help them and then for them to help the spectacle," he explained.
Asked how he was experiencing the hours before the final, De la Fuente joked about the journey home before insisting he faces the match with total calm.
"I'm quite nervous because we're travelling back by helicopter and that does make me genuinely nervous," he said, laughing. "Other than that I'm completely calm. It's a stroke of luck to be in this position. You have to have all your senses focused on the competition."
The physical condition of the squad also featured heavily in the press conference. De la Fuente confirmed every player is available, including Pedro Porro, who had been carrying a knock.
"He's fine. Everyone trained well today. These are the most critical moments because you're always hoping nothing happens." On the full-back, he added: "He had a hard knock in a painful spot, what we call a bocadillo [sandwich]. Yesterday we preferred he rested and today he trained normally. He's in perfect physical condition."
The coach was also asked about the duel between Lamine Yamal and Lionel Messi. He rejected any comparison and asked for the young Spanish winger to be allowed to develop on his own terms.
"Lamine has to be Lamine. Messi is something unrepeatable, an enormous talent and an example for the younger generation. The best thing we can do for Lamine is support him, because he has extraordinary potential."
On the keys to his success in charge of Spain, De la Fuente again pointed to the collective effort behind the squad.
"Work, work and work. You have to surround yourself with good travelling companions and build a team that helps you. But above all, feel well accompanied."
He also wanted to highlight the total commitment of the dressing room throughout the tournament.
"Before starting this adventure we had a meeting and I told them how this World Cup was going to be. I finished by saying: 'This is how it is.' From that moment there hasn't been a single complaint, not one grievance. Everything that seems strange to us now might well be completely normal in football within a few years."
On his approach to the match itself, De la Fuente explained that balance will be crucial in such an evenly matched final.
"Scaloni and I agree on a lot of concepts. In that evenness we'll have to try to win through small details and impose ourselves. And when it's our turn to suffer, we'll suffer."
Asked about the possibility of man-marking Messi, he recalled an anecdote from his time coaching Sevilla's youth side.
"I met Messi when I was coaching Sevilla's youth team. At first we man-marked him, the player following him got booked, I substituted him... and they scored four against us. We won't be man-marking him, but we'll be very attentive. Scaloni and I are two great competitors who admire each other a lot. It's a privilege to face him."
Finally, the coach again praised Argentina and revealed he had sought advice from someone who knows exactly what it means to play a World Cup final: Vicente del Bosque.
"I respect all opinions, but I feel enormous admiration for a national team that has won so much and is, on top of that, managed by a friend of mine. They are great footballers. Whoever plays best and controls the situation will be closer to winning."
On Del Bosque, he concluded: "You already know the admiration I have for him. I asked him because I love him dearly. He's a wise man of football and has lived through this situation. Nobody is better placed to advise you than someone who has known it. Then again, every match is always different."