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Xavi unsure of Spain future

SoccerNews in General Soccer News 30 Jun 2012

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Xavi has admitted that he does not know if he will feature in another major tournament with Spain after Euro 2012.

The 32-year-old has played a crucial role in La Roja’s domination of international football over the last four years, which has seen them crowned both European and world champions.

However, the Barcelona man could neither confirm nor deny whether Euro 2012 would be his last competition with the national side, with his full focus on trying to make history in another final against Italy in Kiev on Sunday.

“I don’t know if it will be my last tournament, I feel fine and I take part of all these victories,” he said on Saturday. “My priority is that the team win.”

The two sides battled to a 1-1 draw in their first game in Group C and Xavi believes the Azzurri are no longer defensive, making possession even more important.

“Italy are not the Catenaccio team we used to know,” he said. “One of the keys will be keeping the ball because both teams want it.

“We could have eliminated Italy in the group stage but we always go for the win so we will have no regrets if we lose tomorrow.”

Vicente del Bosque’s side have received criticism for their displays in Poland and Ukraine so far, with some labelling their ‘tiki-taka’ passing style as boring.

The midfielder stated that the players are not concerned what others think of their tactics, which for the moment are serving them well, insisting all that matters to the team is victory.

“If we are boring but we are winning, that is fantastic for us,” Xavi said.

“We are not bored. We will keep playing our game.”

Meanwhile, Spain keeper Iker Casillas respects Italy for their achievements this year, and insists La Roja are not favourites, while adding the Spanish side never thought they would be in their third final in as many tournaments.

“Italy are a great side and, as they showed the other day, they are worthy finalists,” the 31-year-old said.

“They have shown their quality and deserve to be here. We never go into finals thinking we are favourites; we go into them as equals.

“For me, this is different to four years ago. Back then, we achieved something nobody expected. It was the same at the World Cup, people hoped but didn’t expect. We could not have imagined we’d be in a third final four years ago.”

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