Luis Enrique hopes his players “homework” of penalty taking will prove worth while in the knockout phase of the tournament as they firstly take on Morocco on Tuesday.
Having lost their last two penalty shootouts, against Russia in the 2018 World Cup and against Italy in Euro 2020, Spain boss Enrique has made his players practice penalties continuously starting from over a year ago.
“Over a year ago, in one of the Spain camps, I told them they had to get here with at least 1,000 penalties taken,” Enrique said.
A rather up and down group stage for Spain saw them hit Costa Rica for seven, draw with Germany and lose to an inspired Japan side who were the eventual group winners meaning the Spaniards had to settle for second place.
Midfielder Gavi feels that the 2-1 loss against Japan has to “serve as a lesson” for what is to come in the knockout stages. “Luckily, that defeat has been resolved and we are clear about what we have to do.”
As for Morocco they topped their group to many peoples amazement, a group which consisted of Croatia, Canada and Belgium who they brushed aside 2-0.
Morocco wing-back Achraf Hakimi says he thinks his side can “pull off another surprise” against Spain.
“We are going to play our way and try and beat them”
A confident Hakimi
Hakimi continues to say: “We finished first in the group and I think we deserve a little respect. I think that Spain know that and that they have to be a little afraid of us. Why can’t we pull off a surprise again?”
My prediction: 1-1, Spain to win on penalties
