Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas has revealed that the style of play is at the forefront of the Spain (7/2 favourites to win Euro 2012) national side’s philosophy and that the team would be jeered by the fans if they played like England (9/1).
Spain’s technique and free-flowing style has been lauded for some time and it has now been rewarded with the Red Fury winning both Euro 2008 and the World Cup in South Africa earlier this year.
Fabregas, who set up the World Cup-winning goal for Andres Iniesta against Netherlands, admitted that the style of play is more important than the result and that they have no intention of changing their methods any time soon.
Fabregas told the Daily Telegraph: “The way we play is the most important. It’s about how you do it. You will never play the ball longer or do some things you are not used to.
“We want to win playing football. If it doesn’t happen, it doesn’t happen but we want to be the best this way. We did it last summer and we want to keep doing it.”
The Gunners ace also had a dig at England and insisted La Roja will never resort to a long-ball game.
“Here in England it is passion and the fans love it when there are hard tackles and you play long balls and counter-attack,” Fabregas added.
“If you do that in Spain they will boo you.
“They are used to another kind of football. Here [in England] if you play good football, good football, good football and you don’t win then they can boo you for the opposite. You have to believe in your style and go for it.”
Spain (1/10 to win Group I) cruised to a 4-0 win at Liechtenstein in their opening match of their Euro 2012 qualifying campaign and now face a double-header to try and climb to the top of the standings.
First up on Friday is a clash with Lithuania, who currently have four points from two games but lie second on goals scored, and the defending champions are 1/16 favourites to maintain their 100 per cent record, with the visitors priced at a massive 20/1 and the draw at 7/1.
Vicente del Bosque’s men then travel to current table-toppers Scotland (11/2 to qualify) next Tuesday before resuming action next March with games against Czech Republic and Lithuania.
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