Marchena: Iraq & South Africa Will Make Life Difficult For Spain

La Furia Roja’s centerback is certain that their next two Confederations Cup group games will not be as easy as their first.

Jun 16, 2009 10:05:15 PM

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Carlos Marchena, Spain (Goal.com)

Spain swept to a 5-0 win over New Zealand in their opening FIFA Confederations Cup clash last Sunday, but the European champions are aware that things will only get tougher from here on out.

Defender Carlos Marchena has echoed his team-mates’ sentiments as they warn that their next two opponents, Iraq (on Wednesday) and South Africa (on Saturday), will prove a very different challenge.

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“In this competition, nothing is easy. It’s true that the other day against New Zealand, we played a very good game and we got three very early goals but tomorrow, we expect a completely different game,” he told reporters during the pre-match press call.

“We have studied our rivals and we know that they will not make it easy for us. We expect to suffer against Iraq, as we will against South Africa. It won’t be easy for Spain.”

The Valencia stalwart, who did not play in the match against the Kiwis, has a good chance of starting against Iraq after coach Vicente del Bosque utilized him in the first team during their last training session. But he refused to see himself as a guaranteed starter.

“There’s no use talking about being in the starting line-up now. The coach has his ideas in his head and I do not believe that I will have more chances to play if I talk about it here in the press conference,” he reasoned.

The 29-year-old does not believe that La Furia have already reached their peak, and he hopes the team can go on and break all the records.

He said, “We hope that we have not already reached the top. We are going through a good phase at the moment, but the main challenge is to continue growing from game to game.

“To make history is always important. Our idea is to win every game, to break records and overcome each obstacle one day at a time.”

Spain will tie Brazil and France’s record of 14 consecutive wins if they can beat Iraq.

KS Leong, Goal.com

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