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SPAIN | DEL BOSQUE

Del Bosque clarifies Iniesta's true worth

The Spain coach only had good words to say about the midfielder, surprisingly omitted from UEFA's 'In-form XI': "What counts is having the respect of your team mates"
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NizaUpdate:
Del Bosque clarifies Iniesta's true worth
ALBERT GEAREUTERS

Vicente del Bosque previewed Spain second outing at Euro 2016 as his side face Turkey in Nice tomorrow night: The coach was typically cautious on the eve of the game, reminding that even though Spain have only lost once to Turkey - a 1-0 defeat in 1954, in football, you should never take anything for granted. "I think you should never trust your opponents, you should always prepare for the worst case scenario. Let's hope we can take the initiative and play the game in their half but Turkey are a great side, we can't allow ourselves to be tricked by what has happened in our previous meetings with them", he warned in this evening's press conference.

The team's physical shape and enduring the final minutes of the game: "Regardless of the results in the first group game, our rivals are atsrong and they need points. We want to ensure our place in the next round as soon as possible; we don't want to be speculating. Football matches last 90 minutes and goals, whether they are score at the beginning or the end, are all worth the same".

Euphoria? "If you take a look at my face, I don't think you'll notice any excess of euphoria on our part; I'll be trying to get that across to my players. As sportsment, we require the utmost humility if we are to do anything. Football punishes the arrogant. If we lose our identity, it will be more difficult for us".

Finishing top of the group is important in terms of the later rounds: "I'm a bit scepital about that, nobody knows who the most accessible rival might be in the next round but we will try to finish top of our group".

You have experience coaching in Turkey, are you expecting a 'macho' game? "I have a huge amount of affection and admiration for Besiktas and for Turkish football. I am expecting their players to be courageous, daring, with no hang-ups and to give us an extremely difficult game".

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Changes to the starting line-up: "We'll see how things develop. I have complete faith in the 23 players we have in the squad, and any change won't diminish the team's potential".

Iniesta, a surprising ommission from UEFA's In-form XI from Matchday One: "What matters is that Andrés has the respect of his team mates and he is held in very high esteem by all of them - not even winning the Ballon d'Or is worth as much as that".