Familiar foe Ronaldo awaits Spain in semis
Source: Agencies |
June 25, 2012, Monday
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SPAIN'S Euro 2012 semifinal against Portugal will almost certainly hinge on how effectively the holder manages to shackle a familiar foe.
Portuguese captain Cristiano Ronaldo is a Real Madrid teammate of Spain players like Iker Casillas, Xabi Alonso and Sergio Ramos and a bitter La Liga rival of their Barcelona contingent, including Xavi, Andres Iniesta and Cesc Fabregas.
Joint top scorer at the tournament with three goals, Ronaldo typically operates down the left, where he will be looking to get the better of another Real colleague Alvaro Arbeloa, the Spanish right back.
He would never admit it publicly but there is probably little Ronaldo would enjoy more - apart from getting one over on nemesis Lionel Messi - than being the man who sends the world and European champion packing in Donetsk, Ukraine, on Wednesday.
Portugal has insisted it is not a one-man team and in Nani it has another dangerous forward, a fact acknowledged by Alonso, who netted both goals in Spain's 2-0 quarterfinal win against France on Saturday.
"Portugal have forwards who can cause problems for us and above all the two wingers Cristiano and Nani are superb players," Alonso, who made his 100th international appearance against France, told reporters.
"We know Cristiano perfectly and he has been playing at an incredible level all season at Real," added the 30-year-old former Liverpool player. "But the important thing is to focus on ourselves and make sure we are playing at our optimum level."
The Spanish players are also familiar with two of Portugal's defenders, center back Pepe and left back Fabio Coentrao, who both play for Real.
"They also know how to close ranks in defense and they are very solid," Alonso said.
"Maybe before the game there will be a warmer greeting than usual because he's your club teammate but in the end you are going to be fighting your own corner. Ultimately everyone is fighting for their own goals."
If Spain gets past Portugal it will meet either Germany, whom it beat 1-0 in the 2008 European Championship final and which is already through to the last four, or the winner of yesterday's remaining quarterfinal between England and Italy.
Vicente del Bosque's side is seeking to become the first nation to win back-to-back continental titles with a World Cup in between. "These types of games, in this type of competition, are always very tense," del Bosque said of Saturday's win, "and you need to have the know-how to win them."
The opening goal in Donetsk was the result of excellent one-touch soccer - the hallmark of Spain's game. Iniesta prodded the ball through for Jordi Alba, who whipped a perfect cross from the left. Alonso timed his run so well that no France defender picked him up.
Spain wrapped things up after France right back Anthony Reveillere barged into substitute forward Pedro Rodriguez in injury time. Alonso coolly sent goalkeeper Hugo Lloris the wrong way from the spot, looking right but clipping the ball firmly to the left.
"He knows how to sacrifice himself, help the team and where to play," del Bosque said of Alonso. "He is one of our attacking strengths. He knows how to create and finish."
The win was Spain's first ever over France in a competitive match in seven attempts. But France wasn't that competitive on Saturday, managing only one shot on target.
Portuguese captain Cristiano Ronaldo is a Real Madrid teammate of Spain players like Iker Casillas, Xabi Alonso and Sergio Ramos and a bitter La Liga rival of their Barcelona contingent, including Xavi, Andres Iniesta and Cesc Fabregas.
Joint top scorer at the tournament with three goals, Ronaldo typically operates down the left, where he will be looking to get the better of another Real colleague Alvaro Arbeloa, the Spanish right back.
He would never admit it publicly but there is probably little Ronaldo would enjoy more - apart from getting one over on nemesis Lionel Messi - than being the man who sends the world and European champion packing in Donetsk, Ukraine, on Wednesday.
Portugal has insisted it is not a one-man team and in Nani it has another dangerous forward, a fact acknowledged by Alonso, who netted both goals in Spain's 2-0 quarterfinal win against France on Saturday.
"Portugal have forwards who can cause problems for us and above all the two wingers Cristiano and Nani are superb players," Alonso, who made his 100th international appearance against France, told reporters.
"We know Cristiano perfectly and he has been playing at an incredible level all season at Real," added the 30-year-old former Liverpool player. "But the important thing is to focus on ourselves and make sure we are playing at our optimum level."
The Spanish players are also familiar with two of Portugal's defenders, center back Pepe and left back Fabio Coentrao, who both play for Real.
"They also know how to close ranks in defense and they are very solid," Alonso said.
"Maybe before the game there will be a warmer greeting than usual because he's your club teammate but in the end you are going to be fighting your own corner. Ultimately everyone is fighting for their own goals."
If Spain gets past Portugal it will meet either Germany, whom it beat 1-0 in the 2008 European Championship final and which is already through to the last four, or the winner of yesterday's remaining quarterfinal between England and Italy.
Vicente del Bosque's side is seeking to become the first nation to win back-to-back continental titles with a World Cup in between. "These types of games, in this type of competition, are always very tense," del Bosque said of Saturday's win, "and you need to have the know-how to win them."
The opening goal in Donetsk was the result of excellent one-touch soccer - the hallmark of Spain's game. Iniesta prodded the ball through for Jordi Alba, who whipped a perfect cross from the left. Alonso timed his run so well that no France defender picked him up.
Spain wrapped things up after France right back Anthony Reveillere barged into substitute forward Pedro Rodriguez in injury time. Alonso coolly sent goalkeeper Hugo Lloris the wrong way from the spot, looking right but clipping the ball firmly to the left.
"He knows how to sacrifice himself, help the team and where to play," del Bosque said of Alonso. "He is one of our attacking strengths. He knows how to create and finish."
The win was Spain's first ever over France in a competitive match in seven attempts. But France wasn't that competitive on Saturday, managing only one shot on target.
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