At the World Cup, nobody likes speculations. Even thou they are thinking about it, they don’t like it. Fans, players, coaches. And while fans are permitted to calculate, make their own predictions and tactical ‘traps’ for the opponents, players and coaches need to concentrate on the reality. And reality in the group E is that any team, including the last placed Germany can go into the second round, just like Spain can drop from the first to the third spot. As Hansi Flick said, and it can apply to all the teams in this group: “This is our own fault and we are now in this situation”.Germany need an 8-0 win over Costa Rica to advance to the Top 16No team won both games during this tournament and that leaves a lot of room for speculation. But as far as the Spanish coach Luis Enrique is concerned, he just wants to win and does not want to think what can happen if they draw or lose. Because only a win guarantees them progress, but the problem for the majority of fans is that the first place in the group all but guarantees the quarterfinal meeting with Brazil. And Enrique doesn’t want to think that far ahead. On the contrary…“I hope we meet Brazil! Because you have to beat the best. It’s pointless to speculate, because theoretically you can be kicked out within 15 seconds. We want to be first. In top-class sport there is no speculation. To win a World Cup you have to beat everyone that comes your way and that is our goal. Imagine. We are 0-0 in the two games… and at 95′ of the two games Japan and Costa Rica score. You’re out. We can’t do the dairy account. High-level sport doesn’t know about speculation and I don’t understand it that way. Costa Rica can win their game against Germany – there’s no doubt about that. Each of the four teams can progress. If we lose, we lose. 31 teams will lose here one day” said Luis Enrique.🗣 “We wat to finish first.”Luis Enrique insists Spain won’t manipulate their result against Japan to avoid Brazil pic.twitter.com/fbCkytGbXb— Football Daily (@footballdaily) December 1, 2022 The Spanish coach also had a lot of admiration for the tough Japanese team who made one of the biggest surprises in the tournament with a win over Germany.“They have seven players from the Olympics that we only beat in overtime. They also have players in Europe, some in the Bundesliga… They are dynamic, fast and heavy. We won’t have much time to think because they have a great midfield. Japan beat Germany and it’s a big test for Spain. I think we will dominate against Japan, but I don’t expect an easy game at all” warned Enrique.Thursday, Dec 1st18:00: (3.80) Croatia (3.45) Belgium (2.00) F18:00: (3.45) Canada (3.15) Morocco (2.25) F22:00: (8.50) Japan (4.80) Spain (1.37) E22:00: (12.0) Costa Rica (6.50) Germany (1.23) E
