Spain defender Olga Carmona stated there is no such thing as a point out of the phrase favourites across the staff’s base in Switzerland as they put together to face Belgium within the European Championship on Monday.
World champions Spain opened their marketing campaign with a powerful 5-0 win over Portugal on Thursday in Group B and might seal a quarterfinal place with a win over Belgium in Thun if Portugal do not beat Italy later within the day.
Many tipped La Roja to win the Euros pre-tournament, and the Portugal efficiency has solely strengthened that opinion, however Carmona stated they’re blocking out the exterior noise.
“Internally we do not point out that phrase [favourites],” the newly signed Paris Saint-Germain left-back stated in a information convention.
“We simply wish to preserve selecting up wins. Soccer is unpredictable and we wish to take issues step-by-step.
“We wished to begin with a win and we did that. However we have spoken, we’re maintaining our ft on the bottom. We will not get carried away with the Portugal win, each staff goes to make it troublesome.
“We have now one other problem tomorrow and we wish to overcome it. We’re up towards a robust Belgium aspect and we will put together effectively to face them.”
Spain have now received their final six video games in all competitions, recovering from a troublesome spell which stretched from the Olympic Video games final summer time into the beginning of this yr.
Throughout that point they received simply three of their eight fixtures, however Carmona stated a renewed concentrate on urgent helped them flip a nook.
“There are video games after we might have pressed higher after dropping the ball,” the previous Real Madrid defender added.
“I believe we now have improved there. You’ll be able to see how rather more efficient we’re. That stress after dropping the ball is a part of our DNA and possibly we forgot it at instances.
“However the employees are there to remind us they usually’ve helped us enhance.”
Spain coach Montse Tomé towed an identical line to Carmona, declaring that one win means little or no at this stage.
“After the Portugal recreation, I informed the gamers to benefit from the second and worth the win as a result of it wasn’t straightforward,” Tomé stated in a information convention.
“Since then, it has been about restoration and getting ready for future challenges. The gamers have additionally had some free time to relaxation and disconnect, which is essential.
“However the message is that we now have solely received one recreation. We have now to maintain our ft on the bottom, keep humble and work arduous.”
Spain will welcome again captain Irene Paredes towards Belgium after she served a suspension towards Portugal.
Ballon d’Or holder Aitana Bonmatí can be in line to begin after recovering from viral meningitis to return off the bench within the opening recreation.
“[Bonmatí] has a tremendous mentality and is so centered on this Euros,” Tomé added. “It is a disgrace what she went by, there was some concern at first, however she’s doing effectively.
“She performed some minutes the opposite day, all the time whereas prioritising her well being. We’ll comply with that line, however she is obtainable. The great factor is she’s recovered.”