Teamtalk.com, South Africa
Sept 7 2008

Del Bosque expects tough clash

Vicente del Bosque has warned Spain to expect another tough outing
against Armenia on Wednesday after seeing them edge past
Bosnia-Herzegovina.

The European champions got their World Cup qualifying campaign off to
a winning start in Murcia but were made to work for their three
points, with David Villa netting the only goal of the game in the
second half having earlier missed a penalty.

Spain have another home qualifier in four days’ time and Del Bosque is
anticipating another hard evening’s work for his men against Armenia.

"I think it will be similar because all our rivals look at us as what
we are, as champions, and this leads them to take precautions and put
lots of men back, but I have confidence in the team," said Del Bosque.

"What is important is that we have the same attitude as against
Bosnia, where we went out with intensity, focus and humility. I’ve
already said that our main rivals are ourselves."

Spain had gone into Saturday’s match on the back of a 23-match
unbeaten run and still buoyant from the Euro 2008 success this summer,
but Del Bosque insists he knew it would not be easy against
Bosnia-Herzegovina.

"The qualification phase is very tough because there is no margin for
error. We knew that Bosnia would come and put men behind the ball,
close up the space, and they have made it difficult for us," the
former Real Madrid coach added.

"The truth is that in the first half we’ve not been quite there, but
in the second we turned things round and imposed our style on the
game.

"We’ve picked up three important points. Now we have to think of
Armenia, who will not make things easy for us either in Albacete on
Wednesday," added Del Bosque.

Bosnia-Herzegovina coach Miroslav Blazevic said following the 1-0
reverse: "Although we’ve lost, we were playing against the best team
in the world and a 1-0 result is a small margin, for this I’m proud of
my team.

"They (Spain) have gone two years without losing and have obtained a
deserved win."

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From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress