Ahead of the Euro 2020 semi-finals clash against Italy on Tuesday, Spain coach Luis Enrique left no doubt about his team's target.
"Our goal is clear: we need the ball, we want the ball," he told a news conference on Monday.
Spain are the team with the most scored goals in the tournament so far, with 12, and lead ball possession statistics (67.2 per cent on average).
"But they are also a team that wants the ball," Enrique said about Italy.
"We have the opportunity to play a final. We have a big target in front of us and we have to be at 100 per cent," he said.
Enrique said he's happy with his work and that "he's a leader that's off the pitch. The real leaders are on the pitch or supporting from the bench.
"If we win the game and make it to the final, it will be thanks to the players," he said.
Young talent Pedri counts on a "highly contested match" in the midfield and that "whoever makes fewest mistakes" will be in the final.
Pedri recognized he needs to improve his approach to the area to have the opportunity to score. "It's something to get better at in the future."
Enrique said that defender Aymeric Laporte and "some other players" didn't train on Sunday because they had the option to do a recovery at the gym. Apart from Pablo Sarabia (muscular problems), all players are fit for the game in London.
Source: DPA
