Sáez stakes Spanish claim

Spain coach Iñaki Sáez is confident that his team will get off to a winning start against Russia in Faro-Loulé on Saturday, as they look to shake off their tag of perennial underachievers at UEFA EURO 2004™.

Coach confident
Since winning the second edition of this competition in 1964, Spain have invariably struggled to live up to expectations at major tournaments. But Sáez, who led the Under-20 side to victory in the 1999 FIFA World Championship, believes he has a side capable of going all the way. "There are similarities between this squad and the squad that won the World Championship," said Sáez at Friday's press conference.

'Good atmosphere'
"In the last two weeks there's been a very good atmosphere in the camp. I know the first game is the most important one in short tournaments like this. It's the game that sets the tone and if you win it you go into the rest of the games in a more positive frame of mind. The opening game has always been a bit of a concern for me."

Injury crisis
The Spain coach is hoping his team will take advantage of a defensive injury crisis in the Russian camp, saying: "They have a lot doubts surrounding their defence and it is up to us to try to put them under pressure. I'm convinced that we have enough attacking talent to score goals against Russia."

'Key man'
Sáez picked out Spanish-based midfield player Aleksandr Mostovoi as Russia's key man, but remains confident that his defence will cope with the threat of strikers Dmitri Bulykin and Dmitri Sychev. "Russia always play a pretty, creative game," he said. "They look for one-twos and play with one, two, three touches maximum. Bulykin is their key man up front but my defenders know how to cope with a physical threat."

Raúl hopeful
Spain captain Raúl González was also in confident mood. "We're better than Russia and, in my opinion, we're better than every team in the group," he said. "We've got a similar side to the one that lost in the quarter-finals of the [2002 FIFA] World Cup - we weren't far off then and I think we can go all the way here."

Valencia duo
Sáez should have a full complement of players available, with David Albelda set to overcome a muscular problem and take his place in the centre of midfield at the expense of Xabi Alonso. Albelda's Valencia CF team-mate Rubén Baraja said: "I know Albelda better than I know Xabi Alonso. We are used to playing together and I know exactly where he will be at any moment. He is a more defensive player than Xabi Alonso but I don't think it matters who plays. They are both very good players."