The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Hierro calls on Spain to be focused for Morocco
La Roja warned against complacency as defeat could send ex-champions home
Spain coach Fernando Hierro insists his side can take nothing for granted when they face Morocco in the World Cup tonight – even though their opponents have already been eliminated.
After a topsy-turvy 3-3 draw with Portugal in their opening Group B game, Spain pulled off a narrow 1-0 win over Iran.
Hierro, who took over on the eve of the finals following the sacking of Real Madrid-bound manager Julen Lopetegui, has all but guided the 2010 World Cup winners into the knockout stages.
A surprise defeat to Morocco could yet see them eliminated and the former Spain captain is keen for focus to remain in place in Kaliningrad tonight.
“Our obligation is to play a good game, to get three points and if we can be at the head of the group – even better,” he said at his pre-match press conference.
“We know it is going to be a tough match, always when you play against teams who are eliminated you don’t know what they are going to do – it could be a big surprise.
“We can’t take anything for granted, we have to use our skills and our qualities and that is what is most important going into the match.
“We know that Morocco are an excellent team, they reached the finals of a World Cup after not being here for many years.
Morocco are out having already lost to both Iran and Portugal in their opening two Group B matches.
Portugal’s Pepe meanwhile has said his side would stick to team-first ethic that has served them well in recent years, even if they have to keep fielding questions about being a one-man side.
The Portuguese face Iran in Saransk tonight after underperforming so far in Russia but have four points from two games thanks to the goals and leadership of superstar captain Cristiano Ronaldo,
“We’re warriors and we’re going to play with solidarity,” said Pepe.
Iran coach Carlos Queiroz, a native of Portugal and who managed his national side from 2008-10, said his players could not wait to test themselves against Ronaldo and the rest of Portugal’s “great players”, and claimed this would be his team’s “most difficult challenge”.