Arbeloa: Games need later kick-off

Alvaro Arbeloa hopes that FIFA consider scheduling games at next summer’s World Cup for the evening, due to the ‘excruciating heat’.

La Roja have played two of their group games and are set to play their semi-final against Italy in the Confederations Cup at a 4pm local time.

Played out in high temperatures and humidity, Arbeloa has encouraged authorities to consider this when scheduling games in Brazil for next summer’s World Cup.

“It would be better for everyone to be playing at 7pm. The heat at 4pm is excruciating and much of the country suffers, we all suffer,” Arbeloa reflected to reporters.

“I hope that this is taken into consideration for the World Cup.

“It would be better to play at 7pm, it would be better for the show.”

The Real Madrid man then turned his attention to tonight’s opponents Italy, who La Roja defeated 4-0 in their last competitive meeting in the European Championship Final last summer.

“I do not know if Italy will arrive with the desire for revenge, but they will be eager to prove that the final was a one-off.

“It was a very strange game, as in the second half there was almost no pressure or tension at all. We felt like champions from the moment Italy went down to 10 men.

“[Andrea] Pirlo is back and he is capable of many things and is the player for Italy who for a long time has led the way.

“He can play a perfect pass over 30 metres or sneak a foul. He is essential for them.

“This is a different Italy to in the past, as they have some very technically gifted players with Pirlo pulling the strings.

“No Balotelli? They have players to replace Balotelli, players who will be as much of a danger. They will be a tough opponent.”

Tags 2014 World Cup Arbeloa Confederations Cup Italy Spain
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