Patience likely to be important as Spain take on rock-solid Iran
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E-mail Xinhua, June 19, 2018
By Paul Giblin
MOSCOW, June 19 (Xinhua) -- Patience is likely to be a virtue for Spain when they take on Iran in Kazan on Wednesday night.
Iran currently lead Group B after the opening round of games thanks to a late own goal which gave them a 1-0 win against Morocco.
That game highlighted how effectively the side coached by former Real Madrid boss Carlos Queiroz can defend, after a qualifying campaign where they conceded just 2 goals in 10 matches.
"If we have to defend for 90 minutes against strong sides there's no problem," commented Queiroz before his side faced Morocco, and the Portuguese is no doubt aware that a win in Kazan, where there are likely to be thousands of Iranian supporters, would see his team into the next round.
There is no doubt that Spain are a strong side, as they showed in their 3-3 draw against Portugal in Sochi, twice coming back from a goal down to only be denied the win by Cristiano Ronaldo's late free kick.
That performance ended fears that Spain would suffer as the result of Julen Lopetegui's sacking as coach and the naming of Fernando Hierro as his replacement just two days before kick-off, as they produced a typically fluid performance, with Diego Costa adding bite in attack.
However, despite Spain's penchant for possession-based football, their goals against Portugal came as a result of a more direct approach, with Costa winning a high ball for the first goal and then scoring a tap-in after Busquets nodded a free kick across goal, before Nacho netted a spectacular volley.
Costa is certain to start against Iran after ending any debate over who should lead the Spain line prior to the Portugal game, and Hierro is unlikely to make any changes to the side which played in Sochi, although Dani Carvajal may be in line to return at right-back as he completes his recovery from a hamstring injury.
Meanwhile, David De Gea will continue in goal despite his error against Portugal - the Manchester United keeper's second mistake in his past three appearances.
Spain sometimes struggle to break down sides who sit deep against them, but Hierro will look to a combination of swift passing and Costa's power to be enough to break down Iran, whose players deserve to be treated with respect. Enditem
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