Pedro Rodriguez has reflected on Spain’s increasing difficulty in finding a way through stubborn defences.
The world and double European champions are a step closer to a place at the 2014 World Cup thanks to a 2-0 win over Finland on Friday, combined with Group I’s second placed France drawing 0-0 in Georgia.
La Roja’s 26-year-old forward, though, has reflected that the games the team face are not getting any easier.
“We have taken an important step, but we have to win both remaining home games to make sure of reaching the World Cup and achieving our goal,” Pedro told reporters this week.
“The Finland game was very difficult, but the important thing was that we won and we did that. Almost 50, 60 or 70 per cent of the games we play, it is against very defensive opponents and that is very difficult.
“For the forwards, it is maddening, because you have no space to move, to lose your marker, to enter from out wide, it is very difficult to play games like that.
“Opponents respect us a little more. After winning the World Cup and European Championship, it is reflected in opponents coming out to play us in a different manner.
“They know our strengths and weaknesses and it is more difficult to win, but we are doing a great job and the way, the idea, it must be maintained so as to continue our success.”
