MY ACCOUNT
Aymeric Laporte is confident that Spain have the ability to fight for glory at Qatar 2022 despite falling short of expectations at each of the last two World Cups.
The 2010 champions begin their campaign against Costa Rica on Wednesday, with a tough test in Group E also putting them alongside Germany and Japan.
After victory in South Africa, Spain were eliminated at the group stages four years later in Brazil and lost at the round-of-16 stage to host nation Russia in 2018.
Brazil and Argentina have been tipped as the favourites for glory at this instalment, though Spain are considered among the teams going for glory in Qatar and Laporte is confident Luis Enrique’s side have everything required to go all the way.
“All the teams have their strengths, we have an amazing squad, the big majority [of players] compete at the top level in the Spanish league, in England or other places,” he told a press conference on Monday.
“We have people very well placed in football, quality, with this boss we are working very well on a tactical leveI. I believe we have everything.
“Then, in these type of games or tournaments, you need luck and there are other factors to be taken into account. But on what depends on us, we will do everything to win.”
Laporte was also asked about the injury suffered to France striker Karim Benzema, who has been ruled out of competing at the tournament, which he says is disappointing for the fans.
“In this type of tournament we expect the best to be competing, or many of them,” he added. “It is a shame for fans to not see all the best players in the world fighting each other, but those who remain here have a goal and we are going for it.”
