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/

Torres hoping for trophy hat-trick

Striker Fernando Torres wants to follow up Chelsea’s Champions League and FA Cup success by winning Euro 2012 with Spain.

Vicente del Bosque’s side are the holders of the UEFA European Championships, and among the favourites again to win the tournament in Poland and Ukraine.

Torres, 28, netted the only goal in Spain’s 1-0 triumph over Germany in the Euro 2008 final.

And with his country’s all-time leading goal-scorer David Villa ruled out through injury, the pressure is on Torres to lead the line during the competition.

“I had a great end of season in which I collected two titles and I hope to win the Euro and put the cherry on the cake,” he said.

“Currently we are considered favourites for the Euro 2012 and we have a different kind of pressure. I have new hopes after a tough year for me.

“It’s not easy to be here, but what we want now is to maintain Del Bosque’s trust in us, play as much as possible and make a big contribution to the team.

“That’s what I’m here for. We have a collective target, not an individual one.”

Source : http://www.soccernews.com/torres-hoping-for-trophy-hat-trick/95838/

Diego resigned to Wolfsburg return

Atletico Madrid loanee Diego believes that he will play his football at Wolfsburg next season.

The 27-year-old was shipped out to the Vicente Calderon on loan by the German outfit last term after falling out with coach Felix Magath just one year after arriving at the Bundesliga club from Juventus.

He enjoyed an impressive 2011/12 campaign with Atletico, helping Diego Simeone’s side win the Europa League and finish fifth in La Liga.

Despite recently admitting that he would like to join Atletico on a permanent basis, Diego looks resigned to return to the Volkswagen Arena.

“I think that I will be at Wolfsburg next season again,” he told Wolfsburger Allgemeine Zeitung.

“I still have two years on my contract.”

The Brazilian playmaker, who cost Wolfsburg 15.5 million euros, scored six goals in 42 competitive appearances for Atletico.

Source : http://www.soccernews.com/diego-resigned-to-wolfsburg-return/95622/

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/