Ramos: Familiar foe Benzema can hurt Spain
Reuters - Friday 22 June 2012, 18:08
Spain are wary of a familiar
foe in forward Karim Benzema as they seek their first win
against France in a competitive game in Saturday's
quarter-final.
Benzema has been playing in the Spanish league with Real
Madrid since 2009 and five of his team-mates are in the Spain
squad for the game at the Donbass Arena.
One of those, defender Sergio Ramos, warned the holders need
to be on the guard against a player who struck 31 goals in all
competitions for Real last season.
"I've spoken to him, we have a great relationship and keep
in touch by phone," Ramos said.
"Maybe he didn't have a great beginning [to his career at
Real] but he's a great forward. Even though he hasn't scored yet [at Euro 2012], he works hard for the team and if take your eye
off him, he will score."
Spain coach Vicente del Bosque agreed that Benzema, who
frequently floats deep, is a player that will need to be watched
closely.
"Benzema has had a great season for Real Madrid, he is a
great forward, he is very accurate when he goes for goal and
also a very consistent player," he said.
Spain struggled at times to break down Croatia in their
final group game but say they do not expect France to employ
negative tactics to combat their own possession game.
"I don't think France will just close their defence, they
have strong midfielders, they know how to use the ball and in
any case we can change our style a little to use what they offer
us," said forward Juan Mata.
France were the last team to eliminate Spain from a major
tournament with their victory in Hannover, Germany in the last 16
of the 2006 World Cup.
The French also triumphed in the quarter-final stage at Euro
2000 and in the final of the 1984 tournament.
Ramos played in the defeat six years ago but said plenty has
changed in the meantime for both teams.
"A long time has passed since that game, our team then was
different, we were very young and didn't have the international
experience that we have now," he said.
"I think we have matured now and that is important. Whether
it is World Cup or a Euro our philosophy is successful and we
respect all our opponents which is a fundamental for us," he
said.