Spain coach Luis Aragones insists his team have time to
put a poor start to qualifying behind them, despite mounting pressure
ahead of Saturday's UEFA EURO 2008T Group F visit of Denmark.
Pressure on
Spain have taken just three points from a possible nine and after defeats
by Northern Ireland and Sweden, cannot afford to slip up against Denmark,
or at home to Iceland on Wednesday, if they are to reach the Austria/Switzerland
finals.
'No mistakes'
"I have to convince my people we're going to be in the finals,"
Aragones said. "I'm not hiding my head. I know we're going through
a tough time. Denmark are a good team, but if we're confident, with all
due respect to our rivals, we can pull through. But even if we beat Denmark
we have to carry on winning. We can't make any more mistakes."
Morientes preferred
Aragones has hinted he will opt for Valencia CF duo David Villa and Fernando
Morientes up front, though the latter has been nursing a sore left foot.
Morientes is keen to justify his coach's faith as Spain seek the goals
to kick-start their campaign. "The coach will choose between me and
Fernando Torres, but I'm convinced whoever plays will do well even if
we have our own style. This is the sort of match everyone is up for."
Puyol bereavement
The mood surrounding the camp darkened further when FC Barcelona defender
Carles Puyol returned home following the death of his grandfather. Puyol,
whose father died in November, was suspended against Denmark anyway, along
with Sergio Ramos, and will return to the squad on Sunday. By then Spain
hope to have closed the gap on leaders Sweden to six points.
'Crucial'
"These games against Denmark and Iceland are crucial," midfielder
Andres Iniesta said. "We have to do everything to win them because
I cannot imagine a [UEFA] European Championship without Spain. We have
made things difficult for ourselves and it is now down to us to turn the
situation around."
'No fear'
Spain, though, will not have it easy against a Denmark side yet to lose
in Group F. Victory in Madrid would take Morten Olsen's men to within
two points of Sweden, prompting one former international to suggest the
Danes could not have picked a better time to encounter 'la seleccion'.
"They have nothing to fear from Spain," the FC Barcelona and
Real Madrid CF legend Michael Laudrup said.
Laudrup warning
"For the first time in years, Spain have got off to a poor start
to a qualifying campaign. They simply have to defeat Denmark to keep their
qualifying hopes alive and that pressure will be hard to handle - even
for great stars who are used to playing for the likes of Barcelona and
Madrid." With Soren Larsen still working his way to fitness, Birmingham
City FC's in-form forward Nicklas Bendtner could collect a fifth cap.
Olsen might also turn to FC Midtjylland captain Kristian Bak who is a
late replacement for the injured Per Nielsen.
