Scotland v Spain:AS IF the raw talent at Vicente del Bosque's disposal was not worrying enough, Scotland must beware a Spanish squad who have arrived in Glasgow harbouring dual motivation.
The World Cup winners sense they can inflict a fatal blow to the Scots’ aspirations of reaching Euro 2012 – a mere four games into the qualification process – while living up to the status bestowed on them courtesy of a summer triumph in South Africa.
Craig Levein believes Scotland “are probably facing the best team that we have ever played”. Yet that glowing endorsement from the Scottish manager is in contrast to the relative struggles of Del Bosque’s players since they gave up their historical role as pretenders by lifting the World Cup.
Spain have swept aside the meagre qualifying challenge of Liechtenstein and Lithuania thus far but could only draw a friendly with Mexico in August and were trounced 4-1 by Argentina a month ago.
“This is something we have to get used to; every game is a special one for our opponents,” said Del Bosque.
There is a feeling, notably among the Spanish media, that the international team has not fully shaken off their post-World Cup hangover. The toils of David Villa, who has failed to find the net for Spain since South Africa, back up that theory.
Tonight, Villa will have his latest opportunity to surpass Raul’s 44-goal record haul for his country.
Friday night’s 1-0 defeat in Prague to the Czech Republic means Levein has watched his players drop five points from a possible nine.
“If Scotland come away pointless from this game, it will be very hard for them to qualify,” said goalkeeper Iker Casillas. “The rest of the group would become very difficult and complicated for them.”
Del Bosque was unwilling to fully enter the debate over Levein’s controversial 4-2-4-0 formation against the Czechs.
“That is a crafty question,” he said. “I don’t want to comment on that because I would be seen to criticise another manager’s tactics. I think we will see a more attacking Scotland team, they are playing in front of their own fans.”
Thereafter came a warning. “We will be very much prepared for whatever tactics Scotland might use,” said the Spain manager. “We have got various ways of playing if we have to combat a defensive style. A lot of our players are used to facing this at club level, anyway.”
Levein, for his part, noted: “We’re at home, it’s really important we get the supporters right behind us and we will see what we can do. We’d like to get a goal, we would like to get two goals.”
Guardian Service
The Lowdown
Scotland v Spain
Tonight, kick-off – 8pm
Hampden Park, Glasgow
Live on Sky Sports 1
