‘AN EXCELLENT CHALLENGE FOR US’

Spain coach Luis Enrique has warned that four-time World Cup winners Germany are capable of fighting back

AS both European heavyweights clash in a crucial match at the Al Thumama Stadium on Sunday, Spain coach Luis Enrique has warned that fourtime World Cup winners Germany are capable of battling their way back from adversity.

Germany suffered a shock 1-2 defeat against Japan and are fighting for life in the tournament, whereas Spain decimated Costa Rica 7-0 in a victory that seemed to declare their bid for a second World Cup title. If Japan draw or beat Costa Rica earlier on Sunday, Germany could be eliminated from the World Cup at the group stage for the second time in a row, following their humiliating exit in Russia in 2018.

“You look at Germany’s shirt and you see four stars,” the former Barcelona manager said at a press conference on Saturday at the Main Media Centre. “I played against them in the World Cup in 1994, and their physical strength was unrivalled. At the time, there was a significant difference. In football terms, Spain is now on a par with any other team. In fact, I believe we are ahead of them in the FIFA rankings.”

“They are a team that always attacks, they want to be in the opposition’s half, they’re the national team that’s most like Spain. If anyone knows how to compete it is Germany. If anyone can turn it around, it’s them. They have lots of players who are world class, their history is there. They will want to control, dominate, have the ball, and that’s a lovely challenge for us because we have the same aims. But we have the conviction that we can beat them.”

Enrique drew parallels between the Germans and his Spanish team, saying: “Without a doubt, they are the most similar to Spain in terms of dominating and controlling the game. That is an excellent challenge for us. I believe it will be a free game.”

“A big win like that creates confidence, but we can’t go into the game overconfident,” Enrique said of Spain’s attacking abilities and free goal scoring abilities.

There’s no doubt that the Germans will be more daring in their attempt to breach Spain’s defence, but they must also be cautious not to expose their own defence.

“Will Germany be more dangerous because they require a win more urgently? In football, you never know,” he said

At the same press conference, striker Dani Olmo said that Spain would not be distracted by their opponents’ high stakes and would go for the win that would qualify them for the knockout phase with a game to spare.

“Of course they are under pressure because they need to win after the loss against Japan, but we know Germany is one of the best national teams in the world and you cannot put them down after one game,” Olmo, who plays his club football in Germany for Leipzig, said.

“It will be a final for them. They need to win to have a possibility to be in the next round, but if we win we will be through also, so we will go for the win.”