MX23RW : Sunday, August 22 09:21:22| >> :600:1548446:1548446:

Cesar Azpilicueta hopes Spain can emulate 2010 World Cup heroes

Cesar Azpilicueta hopes Spain can emulate 2010 World Cup heroes
© Reuters
The three-times winners sit in third place in Group E.

Cesar Azpilicueta has urged Spain to follow the example of their predecessors at the 2010 World Cup finals to get their Euro 2020 campaign back on track.

Luis Enrique's men head into their final Group E game against Slovakia in Seville on Wednesday sitting in third place after draws with Sweden and Poland and knowing there is little margin for error if they are to make it to the knockout stage.

However, having watched from afar as Spain fought back from a 1-0 opening defeat by Switzerland to win the World Cup in South Africa 11 years ago, Chelsea defender Azpilicueta is confident they can still make their mark.

He told a press conference: "What's required of us is to overcome these difficulties like the Spain squad did at the 2010 World Cup.

"I wasn't there, but we have to take that example and take the opportunities in front of us, meaning that we could finish top or second in the group.

"Every tackle, every pass, every chance needs to be treated like all or nothing. I think we will do it."

The Spaniards were held 0-0 by the Swedes in their opening fixture at La Cartuja despite dominating, and they had to make do with just a single point once again courtesy of Robert Lewandowski's equaliser five days later.

However, Azpilicueta insists there is little point in bemoaning their failings to date when they can still determine their own destiny.

He said: "Right now the situation is one that the Spain team has coped with in previous international tournaments.

"OK, this is a younger group, but the reality is that we have it in our hands. There's no point in wishing for six points when we don't have them."

A draw would be enough to send Slovakia, who launched their campaign with a win against Poland, into the last 16, but skipper Marek Hamsik, who played in a 2-1 European Championship qualifying victory over Spain in October 2014, knows that will be easier said than done.

Asked if he was surprised by their results to date, Hamsik said: "Of course. They were the favourites in our group and probably they themselves are surprised as well.

"But in football, you never know because every game is different. You always write a different story and tomorrow, it will be the same.

"Spain are the favourites. Everyone will expect their victory, but we will try to upset them. We need to get at least a point."

ID:452377: cacheID:452377:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:4000:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Did you know...?
Kepa Arrizabalaga in action for Chelsea on July 22, 2020
Read Next:
Report: Kepa to accept loan exit and pay cut
>

rhs 2.0
Todays Game Header Right
Premier League
Scottish Premiership
La Liga
Serie A
Bundesliga
Ligue 1
Eredivisie
Primeira Liga
Turkish Super Lig
Belgian Pro League
Greek Superleague
Swiss Super League
Russian Premier League
Ukrainian Premier League
Norwegian Eliteserien
Swedish Allsvenskan
Danish Superliga
Finnish Veikkausliiga
Belarusian Premier League
Segunda Division
Serie B
2.Bundesliga
Major League Soccer
Brasileiro
Copa Diego Maradona
Uruguayan Primera Division
Liga MX
J1 League
International Friendlies
International Friendlies
Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool22005056
2Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton22004136
3Everton21105324
4Brentford21102024
5Manchester CityMan City21015143
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd11005143
7Chelsea11003033
8West Ham UnitedWest Ham11004223
9Aston Villa21014313
10Leicester CityLeicester11001013
11Tottenham HotspurSpurs11001013
12Watford210134-13
13Crystal Palace201103-31
14Leeds UnitedLeeds201137-41
15Wolverhampton WanderersWolves100101-10
16Southampton100113-20
17Arsenal100102-20
18Burnley200214-30
19Newcastle UnitedNewcastle200226-40
20Norwich CityNorwich200208-80

Subscribe to our Newsletter


Transfer Talk Daily
Match previews - twice weekly
Morning Briefing (7am UTC)
Ultra close-up image of Kevin De Bruyne [NOT FOR USE IN ARTICLES]Get the latest transfer news, match previews and news direct to your inbox!