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SPAIN MIDFIELDER XABI ALONSO NOT TAKING ARMENIA LIGHTLY
Goal.com
Oct 9, 2009 8:00:55 PM
The Real Madrid midfielder is wary of the threat...
Xabi Alonso has warned his team-mates that Armenia will not be
intimidated by Spain after picking up a victory in their last
qualifying match.
The midfielder also alluded to the fact that both teams' fates were
sealed, with the result that the hosts would try to stop la Furia
Roja from equalling a record of winning all 10 qualifying matches.
"Winning their last game against Belgium will give Armenia a big
morale boost and they will try and repeat that against us," Alonso
remarked to AS.
"We will have to prepare for the game in the same way, although we
have already qualified and they are eliminated.
"Records may be important but it's good to keep winning games, to stay
in a good habit and that the group feels good. The most important
thing is to keep progressing in the few occasions that the calendar
allows us to play together."
The Real Madrid man also added that the squad had done well to stay
focused throughout the qualifying process, as Argentina and Portugal
were examples of teams that hadn't and were now paying the price.
"Other teams that should have qualified on paper actually haven't. It
shows that you can't relax now, you have to be strong from the start
in order to avoid trouble. We have seen with Argentina and Portugal
that you can have problems."
Goal.com
Oct 9, 2009 8:00:55 PM
The Real Madrid midfielder is wary of the threat...
Xabi Alonso has warned his team-mates that Armenia will not be
intimidated by Spain after picking up a victory in their last
qualifying match.
The midfielder also alluded to the fact that both teams' fates were
sealed, with the result that the hosts would try to stop la Furia
Roja from equalling a record of winning all 10 qualifying matches.
"Winning their last game against Belgium will give Armenia a big
morale boost and they will try and repeat that against us," Alonso
remarked to AS.
"We will have to prepare for the game in the same way, although we
have already qualified and they are eliminated.
"Records may be important but it's good to keep winning games, to stay
in a good habit and that the group feels good. The most important
thing is to keep progressing in the few occasions that the calendar
allows us to play together."
The Real Madrid man also added that the squad had done well to stay
focused throughout the qualifying process, as Argentina and Portugal
were examples of teams that hadn't and were now paying the price.
"Other teams that should have qualified on paper actually haven't. It
shows that you can't relax now, you have to be strong from the start
in order to avoid trouble. We have seen with Argentina and Portugal
that you can have problems."