Spain eager to avoid further injuries

Spain attacker Juan Mata insists his side are in good physical condition and remain hopeful of avoiding any further injury setbacks.

Vicente del Bosque is already without David Villa and Carles Puyol ahead of Spain’s opening Euro 2012 clash against Italy.

But Chelsea attacker Mata is adamant Spain will not be hit with any more injuries.

“Hopefully no more injuries will arise of any kind and we will have the time to think about Italy,” Mata told reporters.

The 24-year-old said his team were concentrating solely on adding a third consecutive title to their trophy cabinet, calling on his team-mates to approach the competition in a similar way to the World Cup two years ago.

“Above all, we will be focused. It would be bad for us to play through excess pressure, so we must try to enjoy our football like we did in the World Cup,” Mata said.

Mata, who helped the Spain under-21s to a European Championship triumph in Denmark last year, wished Jose Antonio Camacho the best of luck as coach of China, who lost 1-0 to the world and European champions on Sunday.

“We all greeted him. He is a much-loved coach in Spain and we wish him all the luck in the world while in charge of China,” Mata said.

Source : http://www.soccernews.com/spain-eager-to-avoid-further-injuries/95876/

Del Bosque urges stars to end conflict

Spain coach Vicente del Bosque has admitted that tension exists between defenders Sergio Ramos and Gerard Pique.

As the European champions continue preparations for Euro 2012, the duo’s relationship has soured after a number of heated encounters between Barcelona and Real Madrid, but the national-team boss has called on the centre-back pairing to cast their differences aside ahead of this summer’s tournament.

“If they don’t get on well then they will just have to get on, because on the pitch is where they have to get on well,” Del Bosque told ONA FM.

“They are young and have their differences but in the end they are just two excellent lads and I am sure there will be no problem.

“They have already played together and there have been episodes in the past. The main thing is that they both have a good heart and that’s all.”

Spain kick off their Euro 2012 campaign against Italy on June 10, before taking on Republic of Ireland four days later, and then Croatia on June 18.

Source : http://www.soccernews.com/del-bosque-urges-stars-to-end-conflict/95508/