Julen Lopetegui has explained why Spain are not thinking beyond their opening UEFA Under-21 Championship match against Russia.
La Rojita open the defence of their 2011 title in Israel against Nikolai Pisarev’s side in a group that also contains the Netherlands and Germany.
“We have great enthusiasm for this tournament,” began Lopetegui to reporters this week.
“We know it is not easy and these are the best teams. We want to maintain our style and our way of playing in the tournament. It’s a short competition and there is no margin for error.
“The first game is the most important. You have to start well.
“Russia are the toughest opponent because they are the first. There is no possibility to think beyond this game.
“We must be at the highest level. They are without their star, [Alan] Dzagoev [who is injured], but Russia has qualified for this tournament without him.
“They are a great team with or without him.
“Our feelings are good, whilst we are a young team with quality and a great mentality.
“My players have great maturity for their age. They want to feel important and that makes them ambitious to be protagonists.
“Let’s enjoy the way we play football.”
