Del Bosque labels Brazil ´favourites´

Spain head coach Vicente Del Bosque has put the pressure straight on Brazil after joining the hosts in the Confederations Cup final.

Del Bosque’s team defeated Italy 7-6 on penalties after the semi-final in Fortaleza finished 0-0 following 120 minutes but despite Spain being the reigning world, European and Confederations Cup champions, their head coach argued they will be the underdogs when they take on Brazil on Sunday.

Brazil defeated Uruguay 2-1 in the other Confederations Cup semi-final to reach the final at Rio de Janeiro’s Maracana and Del Bosque believes the tournament hosts’ pedigree will give them an edge against Spain.

“Brazil are the favourites,” Del Bosque said after Thursday’s victory.

“They have five World Cups, three Confederations Cups, we’re going to be facing them at the Maracana and we’re excited to do so.

“We want to recover and get there in the best condition possible.

“In the next three days, we’ll try to do so.

“They (Spain) played 120 minutes tonight and they are players who usually play two matches a week but we believe that we’re able to give it our all on Sunday.”

Spain have been renowned for dominating possession since they won Euro 2008 but in Thursday’s semi-final in Fortaleza, Italy almost matched the Spanish for control of the ball with Del Bosque’s side edging possession 53 percent to 47.

Del Bosque said Italy ‘controlled the match’ and told Italy’s national broadcasting company RAI that he had been very impressed by Cesare Prandelli’s team.

“Emanuele Giaccherini was very impressive, as was Christian Maggio and naturally Andrea Pirlo,” Del Bosque said.

“Cesare Prandelli deserves credit for speeding up their play down the wings with Maggio and Giaccherini, as their runs put Spain under real pressure.

“Alberto Gilardino had a fantastic game, he was constantly shaking off markers and holding up the ball for his team-mates.

“He ensured Mario Balotelli was not missed.”