Spain are thinking only of qualifying for the next World Cup and winning the Confederations Cup, says Vicente del Bosque, who lists La Roja’s anticipated rivals.
La Seleccion will be involved in next summer’s Confederations Cup as the World Cup holders and are currently top of their qualification group for a place in the following summer’s 2014 edition of the tournament.
“We have one obsession – to qualify for the World Cup and in the medium-term win the Confederations Cup for the first time,” the Coach told publication Terra today.
Del Bosque was speaking ahead of travelling out to Brazil, where today the final three nominations for the Ballon d’Or will be revealed and on Saturday where the Confederations Cup draw will take place.
“Our previous experience [at the 2009 Confederations Cup] before the World Cup in South Africa was good because we knew then what to expect from the World Cup,” reflected Del Bosque, before reflecting on who he felt would be key rivals in 2014.
“Brazil continue to be Brazil [despite their change of Coach], they are also the hosts and they have fantastic players.
“Sabella’s Argentina are a great team. They have Messi and behind him are Di Maria, Higuain, Aguero and two or three other players. Uruguay have just won the Copa America, Chile caused us many problems in South Africa and Paraguay gave us our hardest game of that tournament.
“Colombia are also proving themselves to be a major team. These are the opponents we will be taking into account.”
Del Bosque also commented on three Coaches from La Liga that are currently on his mind.
“Atletico Madrid, with what Diego Simeone has done, have developed into a team. They have had many ups and downs in the past, but now they have found some consistency.
“Also, it is amazing how naturally Tito Vilanova is doing with Barcelona. Importantly he has been able to maintain the players’ motivation, after they have won most things with the club.
“Meanwhile, it would be nice to see Guardiola work again. He is young, has done much in football and is passionate about the sport.
“He has won a lot in football and in a short time an amount that many others will not have gained much during.”
The veteran tactician also explained that a shift in focus from La Liga’s clubs was one reason why Spain are currently so dominant at international level.
“Spain has lost the fear to quickly promote its youth players. We are conscious that clubs now think like this and it benefits the national team. We need to trust the guys because they are worth it.”
