Spain coach Luis Enrique set every of his gamers the “homework” of practising 1,000 penalties forward of the World Cup, saying he’s satisfied they aren’t a lottery.
The 2010 world champions face Morocco within the final 16 on Wednesday morning (2am AEDT), with the specter of extra-time and penalties looming within the knockout section of the event in Qatar.
Spain beat Switzerland on penalties eventually yr’s Euro 2020 however had been eradicated on spot-kicks by Italy within the semi-finals.
Watch the world’s finest footballers each week with beIN SPORTS on Kayo. LIVE protection from Bundesliga, Ligue 1, Serie A, Carabao Cup, EFL & SPFL. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >
“Over a yr in the past, in one of many Spain camps, I instructed them they needed to get right here with a minimum of 1,000 penalties taken,” Luis Enrique stated.
“I think about that they’ve executed their homework. If you wait till getting right here to practise penalties… (it received’t be sufficient).
The Spaniard insisted spot kicks had been “not a lottery”.
“It’s a second of most stress, a time to indicate your nerve, and you could shoot the penalty in the way in which you might have determined, you probably have educated it a thousand occasions,” he stated.
“It says so much about every participant. It’s trainable, manageable, the way you handle the strain. It’s more and more much less luck — the goalkeepers have extra affect.
“We have an excellent goalkeeper, any of the three can do very effectively on this scenario. Every time we end coaching I see loads of gamers taking penalties.”
Croatia want pens to overpower Samurai | 02:19
The Spain coach additionally responded to criticism over the workforce’s model of play – their dedication to enjoying out from defence typically places them below stress in harmful areas.
Japan earned a shock 2-1 win over Spain, with their first purpose coming after the European workforce misplaced the ball on the sting of their field and Ritsu Doan slammed dwelling.
“Every workforce has their weapons,” stated Luis Enrique. “We wish to get the ball in one of the simplest ways doable to the forwards.
“If now we have to hit a protracted ball, we’ll hit it. The interpretation needs to be executed on the pitch.”
He stated he didn’t agree with Spain’s critics.
“It doesn’t make sense to say that in opposition to Japan if we hoofed it away to clear our traces we wouldn’t have let within the first purpose,” he stated.
“We additionally wouldn’t have scored any targets if we stored kicking it lengthy. We will hold enjoying the ball out from the again, it’s what we wish.”
Luis Enrique confirmed that Cesar Azpilicueta had recovered from his knock in opposition to Japan and all 26 gamers could be match to coach forward of the sport.
Socceroos obtain airport heroes welcome | 03:28
Meanwhile Morocco coach Walid Regragui has urged his workforce to imagine they will defeat powerhouse Spain as they try to succeed in a primary World Cup quarter-final.
The north African aspect are within the final 16 for less than the second time after advancing as winners of Group F forward of 2018 runners-up Croatia, having defeated Belgium and Canada in Qatar.
After an preliminary knockout spherical that has seen all the favourites triumph, they’re the final probability for a minnow to succeed in the ultimate eight.
“It will likely be a really testing sport for us. We’re arising in opposition to among the best footballing nations on the earth. I believe they’re one of many favourites to succeed in the ultimate,” Regragui stated.
“That stated, we’ve additionally received issues up our sleeve. We’ve had one additional relaxation day in comparison with them and we’re going to attempt to pull a shock out of the bag.
“If we’re in a position to ship Spain packing I believe this will likely be an exquisite shock not just for us however for our nation.”
Spain denied Morocco a well-known win on the 2018 World Cup with a last-gasp equaliser in a 2-2 draw, the one level the Moroccans picked up in Russia.
“We’re not looking for revenge in any respect. We’re not taking a look at what occurred prior to now,” stated Regragui, who was appointed in August.
“We’ve received a brand new era and, for me, the mentality has to vary with the Moroccan workforce. All the damaging features, that’s the previous Morocco, we’ve modified. Our nation’s modified.”
Arnold’s future with Socceroos unsure | 00:35
Morocco, the lone Arab nation and the final African workforce remaining in Qatar, could have the vocal backing of 1000’s of followers for Tuesday’s sport at Education City Stadium.
“We’ll come out swinging. We wish to hoist the Moroccan flag method up excessive. We’re enjoying at the beginning for us and our nation,” stated Regragui.
“All Arabs and Africans, we wish to make them completely happy. We need their prayers and we wish their assist so it may give us that additional ingredient to win. Before it was simply the Moroccans that supported us.”
Morocco would develop into simply the fourth African workforce to succeed in the quarter-finals – after Cameroon in 1990, Senegal in 2002 and Ghana in 2010 – in the event that they beat the 2010 champions.
Morocco’s solely different look within the final 16 got here in 1986, after they misplaced 1-0 to eventual runners-up West Germany.
“I don’t suppose we should always exit with any kind of advanced,” stated Regragui. “Yes, we’re the underdog, however we all know what Spain are fabricated from and the recipe is simple. We shouldn’t be anxious, we shouldn’t have any regrets and provides the most effective of ourselves.”
Follow Morocco v Spain from 2AM AEDT in our dwell weblog beneath!
