Luis Milla's Spanish pre-Olympic squad face Mexico in Cadiz on Wednesday night hoping to forget Friday’s shock 2-0 loss to Senegal.
The Mexicans are coming off the back of an impressive 1-0 defeat of the Great Britain team in Marbella on Sunday, when the margin of victory could and should have been a lot more, but will be facing a Spain team that welcomes into the fold European Championship winners Javi Martinez, Jordi Alba and Juan Mata.
La Rojita have been working hard in Jerez for the last few days, mainly on physical fitness, and despite Wednesday’s game being a friendly, Milla recognises the importance of it before his squad travels to London.
“This is the final game before we face our first group opponents Japan, so we have been concentrating on the physical aspect before working with the ball,” he explained.
Besides the player’s incorporated from the full squad, Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea, who played the opening 45 minutes against Senegal, also appears certain to be in the initial starting XI.
Atletico Madrid’s Adrian is another who looks likely to figure, with Athletic Bilbao pair Ander Herrera and Iker Muniain practically assured of their places.
For their part, Mexico will be going to the Olympics confident of at least getting into the medal places and their three over-age players – goalkeeper Jose Jesus Corona, defender Carlos Salcido and striker Oribe Peralta – possess a wealth of experience.
They are also able to call on former Barcelona and Racing Santander forward Giovani dos Santos, who is currently with Tottenham Hotspur.
Possible line-ups:
SPAIN: De Gea; Montoya, Dominguez, Botia, Jordi Alba; Javi Martinez, Isco, Ander Herrera, Mata, Muniain; Adrian
MEXICO: Corona; Chavez, Mier, Reyes, Jimenez; Hector Herrera, Salcido, Aquino, Marco Fabian; Dos Santos, Oribe Peralta.