© EuroFootball.com
Spain's national football team, which is playing in the same qualifying group for the 2006 World Cup with Lithuania, does not underestimate the qualifying matches against Serbia and Montenegro taking place on Wednesday.
On Saturday, Spain will play a friendly match against the Chinese national team in Salamanca, and the coach does not hide the fact that it will be a rehearsal before Wednesday's match in Belgrade.
Ties in Lithuania and Bosnia and Herzegovina mean four points lost, so if Spain were to lose on Wednesday, they may have to fight hard to compete for first place in the group.
Coach L. Aragonesas said today: "The matches against Serbia and Montenegro are very important, but at the same time not so important. If we lose - there will be decisive matches at home, and if we win - it will be a big step in the fight for first place in the group and we will still have decisive matches at home."
Spain is currently tied for second place in qualifying Group 7 with Lithuania. Both teams have collected eight points in four matches, while the leading Serbia and Montenegro have earned 10 points in the same number of matches.
Aragonesas also stated his views on Saturday's opponents: "We are technically superior to China, but they will definitely make us work hard."
"France, Italy, Serbia and Montenegro together with Spain are the most technically advanced teams in Europe," said the Spanish national team coach. "There are also teams like the Netherlands, Germany and Sweden, which are strong physically, but not as technically skilled."
Aragonesas also clearly indicated who he considers his main opponents in Group 7: "Serbia and Montenegro have very capable players who play for strong European clubs, so they are the ones who will compete with us for first place in the group."
