NOT A ONE-MAN TEAM
Spain midfielder Cesc Fabregas is of the opinion that he feels the semi-final clash with Portugal is certainly not going to be against a one-man team in the form of Cristiano Ronaldo.
It has been predicted that Cristiano Ronaldo will be the single biggest threat for Portugal in this match. However, Cesc Fabregas has said that Spain will be extremely wrong to go into the match with that thought in mind because Portugal have a number of players capable of stepping up to the plate. The Barcelona midfielder has been used as the false striker by manager Vicente del Bosque in the Euro 2012.
It is once again expected to be the case against Portugal as well. Vicente del Bosque has been utilising this system due to get more control of the game in terms of possession, while it also is partly down to the poor form of the Spanish strikers at the moment. Even though Fernando Llorente has been in great form for his club team, he appears extremely jaded due to the long and hard season. Meanwhile, Chelsea striker Fernando Torres is yet to hit top form, despite scoring two goals against the Republic of Ireland in the group stages.
"Tonight's match is not a clash between Cristiano Ronaldo and Barcelona. That's not what is going through our heads. We know all too well that this is a match between Spain and Portugal. We all want the best for our teams and there is nothing more to it. We will just go out and play our own game, and won't think about anything else. Portugal have a great team and a lot of potential,"
Fabregas stated to El Mundo Deportivo. Portugal will be hoping to repeat and go one better than the achievement of the Euro 2004, during which they reached the final of the competition.