SPANISH midfielder Xavi expects a very open game of football when the defending champions take on the Croats in Gdansk in a pivotal Group C game.
Both sides are two points clear of Italy, which faces the Republic of Ireland in the other pool game. The Irish have already been eliminated after two defeats. The Barcelona midfielder said: “I think it is going to be a beautiful game for the fans and for the players.
“They will have to go all out and so will we. We depend on ourselves to qualify and we will try to win and be first of our group. However, Croatia are very good, they have a fantastic team, with great individual talent. I don’t expect an easy game.”
There are fears among Italian fans that the encounter could end 2-2, a result that would see Croatia join Spain in the next round at the expense of the Azzurri. Xavi said further: “Absolutely not. We only know how to play attacking football, so a draw would not suit us.
“We will go out determined to hold possession, to move the ball and to go forward. This is our style of game and the one that made us European and world champions. Our aim is always to go out for victory and against Croatia it will be no exception. We will play to get three points from the first minute until the last.”
Spain, which was held to a 1-1 draw by Italy in their group opener, already displayed that attacking flair in a 4-0 triumph over Ireland on Thursday. Xavi added: “We have the same hunger that we had in Euro 2008 and at the 2010 World Cup.
“We are among the favourites and we have the possibility to make history and win another Euro title. But we know that only through hard work and humility that will be possible.”
Fernando Torres is set to lead Spain’s attack for the second consecutive game, the Chelsea striker having scored twice against Ireland. Rival Croatia faces Spain for the first time in a major competition and coach Slaven Bilic knows that his side will have to step up their game.
The Croats beat Ireland before holding Italy to a 1-1 draw on Thursday. Bilic, whose side hopes to reach the quarter-finals of the competition a second straight time, stated: “We will need to play the best game of our lives. We must be concentrated for 90 minutes. We have to work as a team and we are going to have to take our chances.”
Tottenham’s playmaker Luka Modric will play in support of striker Mario Mandzukic, who is the joint-top scorer of the competition with three goals. Spain will be at full strength with midfielder Sergio Busquets having recovered from a minor foot injury.
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Xavi wary of Croatia