Ahead of the big-ticket Round of 16 match in the 2017 FIFA U17 World Cup between France and Spain in Guwahati, both camps appeared to pay each other due respect as tensions surrounding the do-or-die encounter hardly reflected the faces concerned.
"We had played them in May in the U17 Euros (France lost 3-1). We know them and they have a good coach and good players, some of whom represent the likes of Real Madrid and FC Barcelona so we have to prepare seriously. It's a 50-50 now", France boss Lionel Rouxel stated, after being greeted by familiar faces in the pre-match media interaction in the city where they had set up camp for 13 nights straight.
After that 3-1 loss in Croatia on 12 May, which knocked France out in the quarter-finals, Rouxel was quick to dismiss any talk of revenge. "It's been over four months and not within a space of few days. We lacked experience and physicality in that game. We'd played three days ago versus Scotland and scored in the last minute qualify"
"Japan was a test match for us in the group. All players are ready to play at 'home'. All 21 of our players want to travel further in this tournament. But tomorrow is a different competition", he added.
Having changed seven players from that set up for the mega-event, France hope to cash in on the factor that they will be playing at Indira Gandhi Atheltic Stadium for the fourth time in a row in the tournament.
"Can't afford to make mistakes on the pitch, you have to be strong mentally. It is a good opportunity for India to showcase to FIFA and the world that they can host a match of this calibre, involving two giants of football", Rouxel concluded.
As for Spain, who clocked nearly 2000 air miles to arrive from Kochi will look to recover quickly as there is practically no margin for error. "We can't control such things. We qualified from our group and we are in Guwahati as we finished 2nd. It is the job of the technical staff and players to adapt to the match and the conditions surrounding it", said Spain head coach Santiago Denia.
"Brazil were always favourites and we had just three days to adapt to the climate before we played them. From then on, we have come to a lot of conclusions (regarding our game) and progressed to be better every day."
With four members from Barcelona in the Spanish squad, talks of the camp divided during the recent LaLiga game between the Catalans and Atletico Madrid were quickly dismissed by Denia. "Our technical support makes sure that everyone remains friends and they gel together. There is no rivalry in the squad and each one has a united ambition to be champions."
However, according to the coach, there is no special plan for French wrecker-in-chief Amine Gouiri, leading the pack with five goals against his name. Spain's own number nine though, Abel Ruiz was highly talked about his capabilities as playing as a lone striker in a 4-2-3-1 formation, different from what his club side FC Barcelona prefer - a false nine 4-3-3.
"Abel is the captain and he leads by example and it is his job to make sure his teammates well good too. Yes, possibly he plays a more central role for the national side. If he helps the team, he knows the team will help him," signed off Denia.
"We had played them in May in the U17 Euros (France lost 3-1). We know them and they have a good coach and good players, some of whom represent the likes of Real Madrid and FC Barcelona so we have to prepare seriously. It's a 50-50 now", France boss Lionel Rouxel stated, after being greeted by familiar faces in the pre-match media interaction in the city where they had set up camp for 13 nights straight.
After that 3-1 loss in Croatia on 12 May, which knocked France out in the quarter-finals, Rouxel was quick to dismiss any talk of revenge. "It's been over four months and not within a space of few days. We lacked experience and physicality in that game. We'd played three days ago versus Scotland and scored in the last minute qualify"
"Japan was a test match for us in the group. All players are ready to play at 'home'. All 21 of our players want to travel further in this tournament. But tomorrow is a different competition", he added.
Having changed seven players from that set up for the mega-event, France hope to cash in on the factor that they will be playing at Indira Gandhi Atheltic Stadium for the fourth time in a row in the tournament.
"Can't afford to make mistakes on the pitch, you have to be strong mentally. It is a good opportunity for India to showcase to FIFA and the world that they can host a match of this calibre, involving two giants of football", Rouxel concluded.
As for Spain, who clocked nearly 2000 air miles to arrive from Kochi will look to recover quickly as there is practically no margin for error. "We can't control such things. We qualified from our group and we are in Guwahati as we finished 2nd. It is the job of the technical staff and players to adapt to the match and the conditions surrounding it", said Spain head coach Santiago Denia.
"Brazil were always favourites and we had just three days to adapt to the climate before we played them. From then on, we have come to a lot of conclusions (regarding our game) and progressed to be better every day."
With four members from Barcelona in the Spanish squad, talks of the camp divided during the recent LaLiga game between the Catalans and Atletico Madrid were quickly dismissed by Denia. "Our technical support makes sure that everyone remains friends and they gel together. There is no rivalry in the squad and each one has a united ambition to be champions."
However, according to the coach, there is no special plan for French wrecker-in-chief Amine Gouiri, leading the pack with five goals against his name. Spain's own number nine though, Abel Ruiz was highly talked about his capabilities as playing as a lone striker in a 4-2-3-1 formation, different from what his club side FC Barcelona prefer - a false nine 4-3-3.
"Abel is the captain and he leads by example and it is his job to make sure his teammates well good too. Yes, possibly he plays a more central role for the national side. If he helps the team, he knows the team will help him," signed off Denia.