Iniesta: We must show more bottle
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SPAIN v RUSSIA
That blistering Iberian derby on the second day of the tournament ended 3-3 and remains one of the best games of the finals.
Spain twice came from behind to then take the lead, only for Cristiano Ronaldo to complete his hat-trick at the end of an exhilarating game.
Since then, Spain have beaten Iran 1-0 and drawn 2-2 with Morocco to win Group B, but neither of those performances matched the one they put in against their neighbours.
Today, Fernando Hierro’s side take on host nation Russia in the round of 16 in Moscow.
Iniesta, a key figure in the team which won the World Cup in 2010, is demanding a similar sort of display to the one they put on in Sochi.
He said: “If we play as we did in our best moments in the first game against Portugal then we can beat Russia and any other rival.
“This level is key for us and we are working to be at that level every day.
“Getting to the last 16 was our first challenge and now we can only think match to match.
“From this round on each game is a final.
“The squad is pleased to get to the knockout phase and pleased for the management, but we are conscious that Spain needs to reach its best levels.
“The players are convinced the fans have still not seen ROBERTO MARTINEZ is a shock candidate to become manager of Spain after the World Cup.
The Belgium boss (right), who managed in the Premier League with Wigan and Everton, has emerged as a contender following the shock sacking of Julen Lopetegui on the eve of the tournament.
Martinez is one of several names in the frame, but has fans at the Spanish FA. The 44-year-old, who hails from De Gea Carvajal Pique Ramos Alba Busquets Koke Iniesta Asensio Isco Costa the real Spain at this World host nation. Russia has a Cup. good squad – but they
“Our challenge was to have suffered a 3-0 end the group defeat against stage in first position, Uruguay. and to “We are avoid prepared as speculation. a team for
“We wanted the fight three matches against the and three Russians – victories. and the
“But the reality is atmosphere, that one win and two draws, will not be a problem for and from the round of 16 us at all.” on we are obliged to show Germany were the our biggest and best side.” first big-name
Standing in front of casualties of the tournament, Spain now are the host losing 2-0 to nation and South Korea to go out Iniesta, 34, at the group stage, insists the atmosphere which is why Iniesta is taking nothing for inside the Luzhniki granted. But Iniesta added: Stadium “Germany’s exit was a won’t put big surprise though if Spain off. we analyse their game,
He added: their squad was not in “Any rival is the best level. difficult at a “That shows the World Cup – World Cup is never especially the comfortable for any squad of the nation.” Akinfeev Fernandes Kutepov Ignashevich Zhirkov Gazinskiy Zobnin Samedov Golovin Cheryshev Dzyuba Catalonia, signed a two-year extension to remain as Belgium coach just before the World Cup.
He’s worked well with worldclass talents like Eden Hazard, Kevin de Bruyne and Dries Mertens.
Fernando Hierro stepped up from technical director to take charge of Spain in Russia after Lopetegui was axed for taking the Real Madrid job. But Hierro has no managerial experience and Martinez is seen as a huge talent. SINCE the breakup of the Soviet Union, Russia have never beaten Spain (D2 L4). Their last encounter ended 3-3 in a November 2017 friendly. DAVID SILVA says Spain are struggling find to a way past teams who park the bus. The Manchester City playmaker, who earns his 125th cap for Spain today, said: handle “It’s hard to that situation. But solutions. we need to find We’re trying to correct mistakes, but our sometimes it’s hard shine because to of that approach other teams. of We had a very hard group and Russia will be just as difficult as if we had faced Brazil.” RUSSIA star Denis Cheryshev has denied doping allegations ahead of today’s last-16 tie with Spain. Villarreal winger Cheryshev is Russia’s top scorer at the tournament with three goals. But the hosts have been dogged by doping claims since their 5-0 win over Saudi Arabia and 3-1 victory over Egypt, which sealed their place in the knockout stage. Cheryshev has been accused of taking a growth hormone in the past, but denied the allegation when it was put to him on the eve of today’s clash.
“Not true,” Cheryshev said. “I don’t know where journalists got this from.
“I have never used any prohibited substances – and I don’t even have to think twice about my answer.”
Looking to the last-16 tie, he said: “Spain has some great players, but any team can hurt another.”