Sergio Ramos blames defensive tactics and a bad pitch for Spain's narrow win over Georgia

Sep 11, 2012 10:45:00 PM

The 26-year-old stated that La Roja were unsure of what they were heading into in Eastern Europe, and criticised their hosts' strategy and playing surface

Sergio Ramos has declared that Georgia's defensive tactics and a poor-quality pitch were the key issues behind Spain's unflattering 1-0 win in their first World Cup qualifier.

It looked as though the reigning world champions were going to get their campaign off to a stuttering start in Tbilisi, but a late strike from Roberto Soldado spared their blushes.

After the fixture, the Real Madrid defender admitted that La Roja had been uncertain of what to expect from their opponents and revealed that the pitch had hindered his side's performance.

"We didn't know how Georgia would play. We saw their defensive attitude and that made it very difficult for us. Besides, the pitch did not help our style of play," Ramos said to Telecinco.

"[I was] not at all [surprised by Georgia's tactics]. When a team respect you, this is what happens. But we can't live in the past, we have to keep ahead and keep on winning."

Goalscorer Soldado also voiced his displeasure at the heavy defending by the Georgians, but stated he was happy to get on the score-sheet.

"It was a hard-worked victory against a team that gave us the ball and they got all [their] people in their area," he said to TVE after the game.

"We have had many chances to score, but the important thing is to get the few we have had and fortunately we did.

"It was frustrating because in the penalty area I was continually surrounded and there was little space to move. So I had to move myself as simply as I could to score."

Nevertheless, coach Vicente del Bosque was merely pleased to have picked up all the points in their opening match as Spain begin their journey to defend their title in Brazil.

"We have done everything but we lacked a bit in finishing. These are three important points," Del Bosque told reporters after the game.

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