Match Preview: Spain v Tunisia
Spain look to further show their credentials as World Cup contenders when they tackle Tunisia in Stuttgart on Monday.
The Spanish announced their intentions with a 4-0 hammering of Ukraine in their opening match and a further victory would almost certainly guarantee their place in the final 16.
The win extended Luis Aragones’ team’s unbeaten run to 23 matches and already their fans are looking ahead to the knock out stages.
Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos though is keeping his feet firmly on the ground.
“Spain has always had great teams with quality players, but we haven’t had the luck to go with it,” he said.
“We can go a long way in the World Cup, but first we have to have the maximum respect for the other teams in the group.
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So far, so good for Aragones |
Coach Aragones is likely to start again with young striking duo David Villa and Fernado Torres who both impressed in their opening game.
History is not on the side of the Africans.
They haven’t won a World Cup game since they beat Mexico 3-1 on their tournament debut in 1978.
To further add to coach Roger Lemerre’s woes Brazilian-born striker Francileudo dos Santos is still sidelined with a persistent shin injury.
The Frenchman is looking for the big physical presence of the Carthage Eagles to out muscle the Spanish.
“Our players are just as good and maybe have the edge (on Spain) when it comes to physical power,” the former French coach added.
“Our number one priority is motivation. We have to be prepared to push for this together. The expectations are big, so we need nothing less than 100 percent from everybody.”
With the expectations big in Spain as well, can Tunisia upset the applecart?