Spain plagued by distractions on eve of Confed Cup semifinal
Team taking on Italy after hotel robbery
FORTALEZA, BRAZIL — Spain will have to beat Italy in the semifinals of the Confederations Cup, and deal with a few distractions, too.
The World Cup winners answered almost as many questions Tuesday about a robbery in their team hotel last week — and denied it was linked to late-night partying — as they did about the tropical heat in northeastern Brazil and Italy’s desire for revenge. The Italians were beaten 4-0 by Spain a year ago in the final of the European championship.
One distraction will be missing — Italian striker Mario Balotelli — who is out with a thigh injury as Spain tries to reach Sunday’s final in Rio de Janeiro.
Spanish players responded to repeated questions about reports in the Brazilian media that a robbery last week in Spain’s team hotel was connected to a party after beating 2-1 Uruguay in their opening match.
The Spanish federation has acknowledged that six of its player were robbed, but denied any partying and the presence of women from outside the Spanish travelling delegation.
“It’s totally a lie,” defender Jordi Alba said.
Fellow defender Sergio Ramos said the reports were soiling the reputation of the Spanish team and “attempting to discredit with lies a generation of football players who have shown themselves to be the best.
“You can’t play with a country with a reputation like Spain that has a super clean image,” Ramos added. “You also can’t play with families, with the children we have, with girlfriends. To put all of this in doubt by inventing a serious story, in this regard, I hope the law does what is merited.”
One Spanish reporter suggested the report was a plot to upset the Spanish team.
“I don’t know if it’s a strategy on their (Brazilian) part,” Ramos replied. “But we’re not going to be destabilized by comments that have no importance.”
Spain laboured through a 3-0 victory over Nigeria Sunday, looking fatigued by the heat and humidity from the 4 p.m. match in Brazil’s tropical northeast.
Nigeria ran more and had overwhelming support from the Brazilian crowd, which jeered Spain. Italy should have the fan backing, and will also try to outrun Spain’s control and ball possession. The semifinal starts at 4 p.m. in Fortaleza in the northeast.
Alba said Italy is a wellknown commodity, conceding the humiliating 4-0 loss a year ago will offer plenty of motivation.