FALPERRA, Portugal, 16 June 2004 — Spain coach Inaki Saez has broken with his own tradition by refusing to name his team for today’s Euro 2004 game against Greece because he fears suffering the same fate as neighbors Portugal.
Saez has announced his starting line-up on the eve of matches since taking over as coach but has decided that offering any advantage to Greece would be unwise.
“You don’t give anything away in a tournament like this,” Saez said ahead of the Group A game at the Bessa stadium in Porto. “I usually give out gifts but not this time.
“Greece change the way they play according to the team they’re up against. We’re going to keep up the uncertainty until 30 minutes before the match. “We have so many options in our forward line that they won’t know whether to play three central defenders or a line of four. “If we were playing Brazil, I’d give out the team. They’re not going to alter their game plan in light of the team we choose.”
Spain beat Russia 1-0 in their opener but that performance was outshone by Greece’s shock 2-1 victory over hosts Portugal in the first game of the tournament.
“This is the best Greek side I’ve seen in a long, long time,” said Saez, who took over as coach after a long spell in charge of Spain’s youth teams.
“We played Greece a lot at lower levels and I’ve never seen them so well positioned, so disciplined and so clear about the game they’re playing.” Greece beat Spain in the qualifiers for Euro 2004. For Saez, the important thing will be not to concede the first goal. Otherwise, he is confident that Spain can succeed where Portugal failed and move to the brink of a place in the quarterfinals. Saez has hinted at changes in his starting line-up, despite the promising form shown by his midfielders.
Xabi Alonso is an option in central midfield, as Saez looks for speedier delivery of the ball out to the wings, while Fernando Torres could come in for Fernando Morientes up front.
“We know they’re going to press and make life uncomfortable for us,” Saez said.
“We have to pass the ball quickly and make their defenders change places to deal with us. That will be uncomfortable for them.”
Russia Say Team Spirit Good After Mostovoi Sent Home
In Lisbon, coach Georgy Yartsev denies Russia will miss rebel midfielder Alexander Mostovoi and is trying to focus his squad in today’s match against Portugal.
“The mood in the team is good. All the players are ready for tomorrow and know it will be a very hard game,” Yartsev said after expelling the experienced Mostovoi from his squad.
“We have other guys who can come in and play much better than him. I don’t think he was in great shape at the moment.”
Mostovoi and his coach fell out after Russia’s 1-0 defeat by Spain in their opening Group A match on Saturday. Speaking in Spanish shortly after the game, the Celta Vigo player said the team was exhausted after being pushed too hard in training and added that he did not think they could reach the last eight.
“The gentleman (Mostovoi) didn’t believe in the team’s chances and he made that public. I don’t consider that is acceptable from a player of his experience,” said Russian team press chief Alexander Chernov.
Yartsev eventually grew frustrated with questions about the row at a news conference yesterday, raising his voice and jabbing his finger in the air as he declared the subject closed.
