Wednesday, June 18, 2008

"Aragones champions change ahead of Greece tie"

Spain coach Luis Aragones has dismissed any suggestion of special actions with his face them estimated cost in the last World Cup again as he prepares to ring the changes for tonight's final group game against Greece.

With their victories in the opening two games, Spain has already guaranteed themselves top spot in Group D, while defending champions Greece have nothing left to play for but pride after seeing their quarter-finals Pending ended defeats to Sweden and Russia.

As such, both Aragones and his Greek counterpart Otto Rehhagel set out in draft host of new faces for the meeting in Salzburg.

That is something Aragones did during the 2006 World Cup when, after seeing his side claim impressive victories over Ukraine (4-0) and Tunisia (3-1), made 11 changes to the group's final match against Saudi Arabia.

Spain still going to win that game 1-0 but then lost in the first knockout phase after going down 3-1 to France, leading some to suggest Aragonese things have not changed against the Saudis.

However, with changes expected wholesale against Greece, Spain's veteran coach has defended his selection policy - both for two years ago and now.

"Do not affect anything that replacements have played against Saudi Arabia. Spain won three matches and then face France, and for the first 80 minutes France were not better than Spain, 'said Aragones.

'Change the team is to give a break to those who have played and reward those that haven `t played and to show why there is in the national team.

"All the teams who have qualified are doing the same, some are giving the whole world lies, lies some to give some and we as a template where we have two players for every position, the others play.

"We already have some problems with fatigue with (Carles) Puyol for example, so that the most important thing is that the other players.

"All teams need to rest. We are a template and a coach has to be smart and know that we have reached the next stage and provide an opportunity for other players," added Spain coach, whose side will face Italy in last eight in Vienna on Sunday.

Aragones future "after Euro 2008 was a major topic of conversation before the game at the Stadion Salzburg-Wals Siezenheim, with media reports in Spain claimed an agreement instead of him to take over as coach of Turkish giants Fenerbahce.

Aragones said it was in the dark about this, but did not admit his agent was looking for possible options for when the steps down after the tournament.

'I know what you know,' said Aragones when questions about the link Fenerbahce yesterday during the pre-match press conference.

"I obviously an agent working for me because I knew I was going to leave after Euro 2008 but I have nothing more to add to that.

"I have also heard me linkage with americas of Mexico. At this moment I can not talk about anything, if I knew I would say you '.

Greece coach Rehhagel also plans to mix from its XI as the deposed champions look to salvage something from what has been a disappointing tournament so far.

The German coach, who was 69 at the same age as Aragones, said: 'I believe that like the Spanish will have to change our line-up, there are some players who are injured and we are not going to be on the ground.

"The new faces will have to prove they deserve to play in the national team."

Rehhagel also spoke highly of the Spanish, and cree that whatever team puts out Aragones is still full of high quality players.

"I think all Spanish players, without exception, are great footballers. I think that controlling the ball extremely well and are perfect when it comes to the art, and I think they have shown that over the last two matches, 'he said.

'And that's why, although Aragones did not field the same seven or eight players, I think the other players who have not participated serve on the same line, which is why we must give our best'.

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