World NewsExtra Gas Drives Spain to Final |
CESC Fabregas is in contention for a starting place in the Euro 2008 final after David Villa picked up an injury in the victory over Russia in Vienna's Ernst Happel Stadium.
Villa suffered a muscular problem while taking a free-kick and was replaced by Fabregas, with the Arsenal midfielder setting up two goals in the 3-0 win played during an electrical storm in the Austrian capital.Spain coach Luis Aragones admits playing with five midfielders and Fernando Torres in attack played a huge role in the victory in which Xavi, David Guiza and David Silva got the goals.
"With Cesc we had another midfielder and it was difficult to control," said Aragones. "I know how well he can perform, he is a great player like others in our squad.
"It's better for numbers and pressure and that is how Xavi scored his goal. The point is to make them feel free.
"Cesc is 21, he and other players have acquired the experience that you might have of an older player.
"This is something that matters for the 2008 tournament but I'm sure it will matter for the World Cup (in 2010) as well."
Fabregas added: "I am here when the manager needs me.
"It is good, we came here to win the tournament and we got to the final, which I think is the most difficult thing.
"In the final anything can happen, a lot of things can influence the game.
"Right now we enjoy tonight, the moment, then think about the game we are waiting for."
Aragones may have been talking about the World Cup qualifiers but he refused to be drawn on his own future, and whether he will join Fenerbahce, until after the final on Sunday.
And he revealed he has been getting advice from England about how difficult the Germans will be.
"Gary Lineker said that Germany can win against any team they play," Aragones said. "I know him because I was at Barcelona with him and he is a great guy."
Victory meant the end of the road for Guus Hiddink after guiding his Russia team to the last four, and he was satisfied with the progress his side made.
"The disappointment of tonight is in our head, but when our emotions calm down we are very proud, not just the results but the way they have played," said the Dutchman.
"Of course after a game where we are defeated we are disappointed, that is logical. We could play with Spain for the first half and part of the second, there was still a game, but their plan to tire us led to our marking being loose in midfield so we had to run a lot.
"That is the moment they had the quality to strike. It is a very deserved win - it's very difficult to play against a team like that who can play one-touch football. I hope they play a good final."
Hiddink also felt an extra midfielder made the difference for Spain.
"We could handle Torres and Villa in the first half okay, but with the change to a midfielder in there came more mobility," he said.
"It is difficult to play that and control it. They also do it at a rather quick pace. You can feel it and it's a matter of time, that's their class."
Copyright (c) 2008 Press Association
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