Euro 2008 winning manager gives his take on Spain’s upcoming fixture.
Vicente Del Bosque’s side face Italy in their opening fixture of Group C. Luis Aragones, the man who guided Spain to the penalty shootout win over Italy in the quarter-final of the Euro 2008 believes the Italians are not an easy
side. The former Fenerbahce manager preaches caution ahead of the important clash.
Despite being rocked by the betting scandal and injuries he believes the Italians are an experienced side who have won a lot of major tournaments and are capable of causing plenty of problems to the Iberian side.
La Roja will be without their all time leading scorer David Villa and the Barcelona centre back Carles Puyol, who will miss the entire tournament through long term injuries.
"It will be difficult against the Azzurri. Let's not forget they have won four World Cups," he is quoted as saying in an interview.
The Euro 2008 winning coach believes La Furia Roja are not the favourites to retain their European crown. He considers Italy to be up there with best, the Spanish tactician hails the Italian midfield, which in his opinion is up
there with best midfields in the world.
The veteran manager warns against complacency and urges his compatriots to respect their opponents. Aragones knows that regardless of injuries and scandals Cesare Prandelli’s men boast a mean record when it comes to major tournaments
due to the presence of several winners in his side.
"They are a side with important players and a strong midfield. People talk about Spain as favourites, but we must also keep a close eye on Italy,” he added.
The Spaniards will not risk underestimating their Sunday’s opponents, as they know the Italians are an experienced side capable of bouncing back from the stickiest of situations.
Both sides have injury problems to deal with and critics to answer. The Azzurri were comprehensively beaten by d**k Advocaat’s Russia in the build up to the Euros, and the Spaniards have been criticised in the international press
for being a shadow of the side that won the 2008 European Championship.
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