DOHA, Qatar (AP) — Spain coach Luis Enrique gave his group a singular project following a penalty shoot-out loss to Italy finally 12 months’s European Championship.
“I advised my gamers they’ve homework forward of the World Cup. It is advisable to take no less than 1,000 penalties along with your membership,” Luis Enrique recounted Monday. “We are able to’t simply work on it in our coaching camp with the nationwide group.”
Whereas Spain is hoping it received’t come all the way down to a shoot-out towards Morocco within the spherical of 16 on Tuesday, no less than the group is properly ready if it does get to that time.
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Spain was additionally eradicated in a penalty shoot-out on the 2018 World Cup, by host Russia.
“It doesn’t simply rely upon luck. It’s a second of the very best strain. If you happen to’ve skilled for that always, then the best way you’re taking a penalty will enhance,” Luis Enrique mentioned. “Clearly you can not practice for the strain and the strain. However it’s manageable. You possibly can deal with that strain.”
Ferran Torres transformed a penalty for Spain in its opening 7-0 win over Costa Rica.
Spain goalkeeper Unai Simón saved two penalties in a shoot-out win over Switzerland earlier than the loss to Italy at Euro 2020.
“The goalkeepers are prepared, too. You’ve seen it in our coaching periods,” Luis Enrique mentioned by means of a translator. “It’s homework that we’ve taken into consideration.”
Morocco has been one of many greatest surprises of the match by successful a tough group forward of 2018 finalist Croatia and 2018 semi-finalist Belgium.
Morocco conceded just one purpose in its three group matches and the group has huge assist in Qatar because the final of the 4 Arab qualifiers nonetheless enjoying — and now the final African group, too, after Senegal was eradicated by England on Sunday.
“Everybody needs to return to Doha,” mentioned Morocco coach Walid Regragui, who solely took over his group in August. “We may fill two stadiums.”
As shut neighbors, there are additionally a variety of ties between Morocco and Spain.
Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou and striker Youssef En-Nesyri each play in Spain for Sevilla. Gifted proper again Achraf Hakimi, a Paris Saint-Germain participant, was born in Madrid. Regragui performed in Spain with Racing Santander.
A lot of Morocco’s gamers converse Spanish and the group’s medical workers is Spanish.
“Morocco is a rustic for which we’ve got an amazing relationship,” Luis Enrique mentioned. “It’s a pageant of soccer.”
Spain additionally met Morocco within the groups’ ultimate group recreation in 2018, which ended 2-2.
“They play a possession recreation, which may be very tough for the opponent but additionally for individuals watching,” Regragui mentioned. “Tak, tak, tak, tak, tak till the gamers are drained.”
For inspiration, Morocco is seeking to Japan’s win over Spain within the ultimate set of group video games, when Japan had solely 17% of the possession.
“We have to have a powerful head. We have to settle for that they’re going to play a possession recreation,” Regragui mentioned. “Spain received’t know what to do with all that ball possession — that’s our plan.”
The winner will face both Portugal or Switzerland for a spot within the semi-finals.