Pique makes case for defence

Gerard Pique has hailed the defensive foundation which he believes is key to Spain's unprecedented success.

Last Updated: 02/07/12 at 08:37 Post Comment    Bet with SkyBet  World Cup. Click here to bet.

Pique: Hailed Spain's defence

Pique: Hailed Spain's defence

Spain sealed a third consecutive tournament win on Sunday night by beating Italy 4-0 in the Euro 2012 final - a feat never before achieved in international football.

Remarkably Spain closed the tournament on a run of 510 minutes without conceding as they were only breached once in the entire competition.

That run also extends the world champions' run of not conceding in tournament knockout games to 10 matches.

Pique said in AS: "On a defensive level we have been very good, not only the defenders and [Iker] Casillas.

"The whole team has been very good in general. It was important not to concede and we had the luck to score because the chances always arrive."

Uncharacteristically Spain had less of the ball in the opening period than the Italians but led at half-time thanks to goals from David Silva and Jordi Alba.

And when Cesare Prandelli's side were reduced to 10 men when Thiago Motta went off injured after the break the holders rammed home their man advantage with further goals from Fernando Torres and Juan Mata.

"In the first half we didn't have so much of the ball but with the two times we threatened we scored," said Pique. "With the injury to Motta everything was much easier as they had been left with 10."

The Barcelona defender also paid tribute to former Liverpool and Real Betis defender Miki Roque who died after a fight with pelvic cancer last week at the age of just 23.

"We always had Roque and his family very much with us."

Bet with SkyBet  World Cup. Click here to bet.

Football365 Facebook Fan Page

The Football365 fan page is a great place to meet like minded people, have football related discussions and make new friends.

Related News

Sky Bet

    • Retrieving latest Sky Bet odds

Most Commented

Readers' Comments

I

m starting to think Roman may never actually be happy at the top level. If he wants all conquering fancy football I wonder if he'd be better off buying a lower division side then paying outlandish salaries to attract high caliber players too good for the division.

john matrix
The Most Unsatisfying European Victory...

R

afa has to be favourite for the Everton job now, surely :) He'll realise his ambition to live and work on Merseyside again, get the best out of whoever plays for them, maybe win some cups and be thoroughly loathed by the toffee fans. What's not to like? Go ead, Ken, gimajob!

captbusby
Benitez basks in final glory

T

hat is arguably the least inspiring England I have ever seen. There is not a single name in that list that makes me think I might actually want to watch this team. Not a one.

harry hotspur
Carroll back in England squad

Footer 365

Jones: No tension at Stoke

Stoke striker Kenwyne Jones has apologised to Glenn Whelan after smashing his car windscreen in a mistaken act of retribution for a prank.

Hodgson plea for clubs' help

England boss Roy Hodgson has called for Manchester City and Tottenham to follow Chelsea's lead and release players early.

Bundesliga: Fortuna down in dramatic finale as Hoffenheim and Augsburg escape

Fortuna Dusseldorf were relegated from the Bundesliga as Hoffenheim and Augsburg staged final-day escape acts.

Mail Box

James Collins Is Only 29. Tough Paper Round

He is one of a number of solid shouts for players that look old before their time. We also have the final words on lovely D-Beck and a rejection of end of season playoffs...

Without Posh, Becks Could Have Been Scholes

That's one opinion, but others give their thanks to the man. We also have ideas for a relegation playoff, happy memories of the season and a defence of Liverpool's campaign...

© 2013 British Sky Broadcasting Ltd. All Rights Reserved