Portugal expect Spain’s players to be full of energy during both teams’ meeting in the semi-finals of Euro 2012.
“We have two fewer days to rest than them. It is a small handicap,” coach Vicente del Bosque told the press in the aftermath of Spain’s Last 8 victory over France.
However, captain Cristiano Ronaldo ridiculed this statement in an interview with reporters this week. Portugal’s quarter-final match against the Czech Republic occurred last Thursday whereas Spain’s encounter against France came up a couple of days later.
Nonetheless, Ronaldo believes that Spain should not take fatigue as an excuse ahead of Wednesday night’s crucial Euro 2012 semi-final clash.
“Three days' rest is more than enough. The Spaniards claimed having two days is a disadvantage but, as a professional, I believe it is not an important factor,” the Portuguese captain insisted.
Spain defender Gerard Pique backed Ronaldo’s opinion. Asked if the Spaniards are struggling with fatigue ahead of Wednesday’s UEFA Euro 2012 semi-final clash against Portugal, the Barcelona player declared:
“Do not worry, we are not as exhausted as it seems. At the end of the match against France, we were trying to have control of the match. It was not like we were exhausted.
“We spent the day very calm in our hotel rooms. We went to bed at five in the morning, so we slept almost the entire day and then we saw the match between England and Italy.”
Spain are playing to defend their UEFA European Championship title. They have been tipped as favourites to reach the final by defeating Portugal in the Euro 2012 semis.
However, captain Cristiano Ronaldo ridiculed this statement in an interview with reporters this week. Portugal’s quarter-final match against the Czech Republic occurred last Thursday whereas Spain’s encounter against France came up a couple of days later.
Nonetheless, Ronaldo believes that Spain should not take fatigue as an excuse ahead of Wednesday night’s crucial Euro 2012 semi-final clash.
“Three days' rest is more than enough. The Spaniards claimed having two days is a disadvantage but, as a professional, I believe it is not an important factor,” the Portuguese captain insisted.
Spain defender Gerard Pique backed Ronaldo’s opinion. Asked if the Spaniards are struggling with fatigue ahead of Wednesday’s UEFA Euro 2012 semi-final clash against Portugal, the Barcelona player declared:
“Do not worry, we are not as exhausted as it seems. At the end of the match against France, we were trying to have control of the match. It was not like we were exhausted.
“We spent the day very calm in our hotel rooms. We went to bed at five in the morning, so we slept almost the entire day and then we saw the match between England and Italy.”
Spain are playing to defend their UEFA European Championship title. They have been tipped as favourites to reach the final by defeating Portugal in the Euro 2012 semis.
