Aragones 'not optimistic' about Portugal clash

28 June 2010 - 15:57 By Sapa-dpa
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Former Spain manager Luis Aragones said that he was "not optimistic" about Spain's World Cup second round clash against neighbours Portugal.

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Aragones told Portuguese television channel SIC that "Spain has not been at a good level at the start of the tournament.

"They have been short of speed in moving the ball."

He added that "if Portugal knows how to take the ball off Spain then they are going to have options to win comfortably. I am not optimistic about the game because I see that Portugal has a great team."

Aragones, 71, was manager of Spain from 2004 to 2008 and led La Roja to triumph at Euro 2008, before leaving for Turkish giants Fenerbahce. He has been very critical of his successor Vicente del Bosque throughout the World Cup.

He told SIC that "Portugal is almost perfect defensively. In attack maybe they are short of something. It is a team that should be taken into consideration."

When asked about Portugal's star Cristiano Ronaldo, Aragones replied: "He is doing fairly well. He is player who can win any match in one or two moves thanks to his quality."

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