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/

Villa shows faith in Spain depth

Barcelona striker David Villa has played down his absence from the Spain national team at Euro 2012.

The 30-year-old striker ruled himself out of selection for the finals in Poland and Ukraine as he is still nursing a fractured tibia sustained at the Club World Cup in December.

His unavailability has been described by Spain coach Vicente del Bosque as a heavy blow, but Villa thinks that Spain have other quality attacking options available.

“One is always happy that people regret their absence, but Spain will not miss me,” he told reporters.

“There are great goal-poachers on the team and any player can score. I have a great affection for Fernando Torres and I think he is in great form after what he undeservedly went through.”

Villa, who visited Spain’s training base on Thursday, explained how he told Del Bosque that he would not be able to make the squad for Euro 2012.

“I worked until the end and they waited until the last moment to see how my recovery was going,” he said.

“But when there were a few days left for the announcement of the squad, I told him [Del Bosque] that I was not at a level good enough to compete, that I was not in the shape for the national team, and that I would not be at my best.

“I was true to myself, Barcelona and Spain.”

Questioned about Spain’s chances in Poland and Ukraine, Villa said: “We have won the right to be called favourites after four years filled with success.

“But when the tournament starts, every team will have the same chances.”

Spain begin the defence of their European crown against Italy in Group C on June 10.

Source : http://www.soccernews.com/villa-shows-faith-in-spain-depth/95619/

Reina rues absent Villa

Spain goalkeeper Pepe Reina said David Villa’s unavailability for Euro 2012 is a major blow, claiming the striker is also a big off-field presence.

The country’s all-time record goalscorer Villa was forced to admit defeat last week in his battle to recover in time from the fractured tibia he suffered during the Club World Cup in December when representing Barcelona.

“I have wanted to give him a hug because I have not seen him recently,” Reina told Marca.

“But we talk every day and soon I will be able to give him a hug.

“The group will miss him, both as a player and a person. But we have no other option but to encourage him and hope that he returns as soon as possible.”

While Reina was unable to comfort Villa in person, he was on hand to support Roberto Soldado, who was excluded from Vicente del Bosque’s 23-man squad for Poland and Ukraine.

“We went to have a coke and I told him that in the future he will definitely have many opportunities with the national team,” he said.

“I know that for him and the other guys it was not easy to continue with us for these past four days (after the squad announcement), but they have to maintain their enthusiasm and keep fighting.”

Spain will open their campaign against Italy, whose preparations have been overshadowed by the enforced withdrawal of left-back Domencio Criscito due to his alleged involvement in a match-fixing scandal in Serie A.

Reina admitted he does know the full ins and outs of the story, but the controversy has taken him by surprise.

“We do not have much knowledge of what is happening but it is obviously not normal,” the Liverpool goalkeeper confessed.

“Photos have come out and it’s a surprise. We’ll see what happens but, of course, we are surprised.”

Defending champions Spain also have Republic of Ireland and Croatia for company in Euro 2012 Group C.

Source : http://www.soccernews.com/reina-rues-absent-villa/95533/

Pizarro happy with Roma return

David Pizarro has dismissed speculation linking him with former club Udinese, insisting that he wants to finish his career at Roma.

The 32-year-old midfielder, who spent the second half of last season on loan at Manchester City where he helped them win the Premier League title, is out of contract next summer and has been linked with a return to the Friuli.

“I will return to Roma,” Pizarro told the Gazzetta dello Sport. “I am happy to come back to the Giallorossi to end my playing career.

“I still have a year left on my contract and the loan to City was just a six-month deal. My wife and I want our third child to be born in Rome, so we won’t be moving again.

“I spent six splendid years of my life in Udine. Now they have another Chilean, Mauricio Isla, who deserves a great career.

“I want to be clear, I am staying at Roma, or at least that is my intention. In the future I’ll return to Chile with an important role in football, though I won’t become a coach.”

Pizarro left Udinese for Inter in 2005 but moved to Roma after just one season at San Siro.

Source : http://www.soccernews.com/pizarro-happy-with-roma-return/95375/

Pique: Villa close to return

Barcelona defender Gerard Pique says team-mate David Villa could make his eagerly-awaited return in Friday’s Copa del Rey final.

The forward has been out of action since fracturing his tibia in December last year, but is hoping to prove his fitness to Spain boss Vicente Del Bosque in time for Euro 2012 by returning to action against Athletic Bilbao.

“I see that he’s doing well,” Pique told reporters on Tuesday.

“He has had a major injury, but is eager and every day is like a final for him. I can see him making the Copa final.”

The game at the Vicente Calderon is also of huge significance to Pep Guardiola, as it will be his last outing before he steps down as Barcelona coach after four successful seasons.

Pique has been in and out of Barcelona’s starting line-up recently, amid reports he has fallen out with his coach.

But the centre-back said he would be sorry to see Guardiola depart Camp Nou.

“His departure will be traumatic for me,” the former Manchester United defender said.

“I feel like I’m a better player because of him and the whole team has learned a lot from him.

“He will leave a gap, but (successor) Tito (Vilanova) will move us forward and do very well. Tito speaks the language of Barcelona.”

As for Barca’s hopes of ending Guardiola’s tenure with a 14th trophy, Pique is taking nothing for granted against an Athletic side he respects.

“With (coach Marcelo) Bielsa, Athletic press a lot and it will be a very intense game,” the 25-year-old said.

“I see no favourite. It is a 50-50 game. So, we will fight hard to take the title.”

Source : http://www.soccernews.com/pique-villa-close-to-return/95094/