Iker Muniain a doubt as Spain prepare to open up their Olympic campaign

Jul 24, 2012 3:05:00 PM

Luis Milla believes that his country's side for the Games should not be under the same pressure as the senior side because of their World Cup and European Championship victories

Spain Olympic head coach Luis Milla is sweating over the fitness of Atheltic Bilbao winger Iker Muniain as they go into their first game against Japan.

La Roja start their Group D campaign at Hampden Park in Glasgow, but the head coach could be without one of his key man as they look to kick-off the section with a victory.

"The players are all in very good condition, Iker hasn't trained for a week and we think that he’ll be okay, he’s having a test this afternoon and after that we will have more news on Muniain’s condition," Milla confirmed at a press conference.

"We carry the responsibility of representing the country at the Olympics, but we are taking it day by day, game by game.

"It’s not fair that the players are playing under the same pressure as the senior team, because the senior team is such a good team, but we’re taking it game by game.

"Getting three points in the first game is always important, especially in the group stage, obviously getting three points in the first game helps you with your chances of getting through to the knockout stages.

"It’s not easy to pick out a favourite, Team GB are the home team and with the players that Brazil have, they’ll obviously be mentioned as favourites, but you can’t write off the other teams given the strength of squads they’ve brought to the tournament."

Finally, Milla voiced his belief that the wet surface at Hampden Park could help his side when they line up against the Samurai Blue in their opening fixture of the Games.

"I understand that this is the weather here, it rains a lot and the pitch will be wet, but it’s about the balance of the pitch, a wet pitch can suit our style of play and also it’s the same for Japan, they have fast, technical players that can benefit from the pitch."

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