Past failures versus Italy no concern for Spain
VIENNA (Reuters) - Spain's past failures against Italy do not weigh heavily on the shoulders of the players and they do not see Sunday's Euro 2008 quarter-final as a way of avenging previous disappointments.
"We aren't thinking about history, just about tomorrow's game," Spain striker David Villa told a news conference at the Ernst Happel Stadium on Saturday.
"This is different because this team didn't play in the previous games and what happened in the past won't help either team. We are just concentrating on winning the match.
"Yes, previous results favour them but it is tomorrow's game that counts and if they want to win they will have to be better than us it is as simple as that."
Spain have never beaten Italy at a major international tournament outside the Olympics and suffered a controversial quarter-final exit against the Azzurri when the teams last met in the quarter-finals of the 1994 World Cup.
Losing 2-1 with a few minutes left, Spanish midfielder Luis Enrique had his nose shattered when he was elbowed in the face by Mauro Tassotti in the area. The player appealed for a penalty but the referee waved play on and Spain went out.
Villa, who comes from the same part of Spain as Luis Enrique and who idolised the player when he was young, said he was not concerned about settling a score with the Italians.
"Luis Enrique suffered in that game in the United States just as the whole country did, not just because we lost but because of his broken nose. But we don't want revenge or anything like that, we just want to win the game that's all."
Villa, top scorer at Euro 2008 with four goals, said he felt on top of his game and hoped to add to his tally against an Italy side who have shown uncharacteristic weakness in defence.
"I've been in great form. Because I missed a lot of games this season I'm fresh and in the best physical shape of my career.
"I'm scoring with practically every chance I get and have been helped by the fact that we have players who create a lot of chances for us all. I hope it continues."
(Reporting by Simon Baskett, editing by Ken Ferris)
