Spain v Russia preview

Jun 8 2008 By Gordon Waddell

Miller Backs Spain's Reds Brigade To Do The Business Spain V Russia Tuesday, Innusbruck Kick Of 5pm, Live Bbc One

ALEX MILLER knows Spain have always had the quality to win a major tournament - now he believes they have the unity to make it happen.

The Spaniards have been branded football's greatest-ever under-achievers, never able to turn their superstars into winners on the big stage.

But highly-respected Scots coach Miller knows four of their 23-man squad inside out having spent every day on the training ground at Liverpool working with them.

And the 58-year-old ex-Hibs boss reckons he sees a shift in attitude that could finally put Spain among the ticker tape on June 29.

Miller, who recently quit Anfield after nine years to take over as boss of JEF United Chiba in Japan, was first-team coach to Fernando Torres, Pepe Reina, Alvaro Arbeloa and Xabi Alonso.

Many in Spain believe Miller's old charge Torres in particular holds the key to success and that the striker is the vital missing link from days gone by who will provide the cutting edge to get their country over their finals hurdle.

On the back of Torres' sensational 33-goal debut season for the Reds it's easy to see why the hitman is considered a class apart.

But Miller insisted: "That would be unfair to Raul to suggest that. He was absolutely top drawer as a finisher as well for Spain.

"The real difference with this squad isn't that it's any more talented, it's just that from what I hear from the guys everything has been sorted out in the background.

"They're now a happy, together squad which wasn't always the case.

"Things like the Barcelona-Real Madrid split in the squad caused division and things weren't always done for the benefit of the team as a whole.

"But now they're completely focussed on the team, not on individuals, and it's paying off."

Miller insists it's a measure of the strength in depth Spain have that only one of his Anfield aces - 24-year-old Torres - is guaranteed a jersey when Luis Aragones' side kick off their campaign against Russia on Tuesday.

The rest will have to battle it out for a spot with players at the peak of their powers.

Alex said: "Torres has been terrific for Liverpool and the great thing about him is that he's an excellent person.

"He doesn't have an inflated ego. He's as down to earth a boy as you'll find in the game these days.

"And that's probably because he has been used to dealing with the pressure of the big stage from a young age.

"He was playing for Atletico Madrid when he was 17 and their captain at 20.

"His ability is absolutely terrific. We signed him because we needed penetration but with cleverness attached too.

"As for the other guys? I'd love to see Arbeloa get a game. He can play either right or left back but he may struggle to displace either of the first choice guys.

"Same with Reina. He's an outstanding keeper but he has Iker Casillas in front of him.

"And then you've got Alonso. It maybe says it all about Spain's depth when you consider he won't play much unless there are a couple of injuries.

"The guy keeping him out, Cesc Fabregas, is one of the best in the business. He is a brilliant user of the ball and carries a potent goal threat too."

While Miller firmly believes Spain can finally grab glory this summer he admits one of the usual suspects may well end up with the trophy.

Alex said: "Spain have a real chance while out of the rest it's hard to see past Italy.

"They have a tough group to get through with France, Holland and Romania but it's all about quality.

"The Italians have pretty much the same squad that lifted the World Cup and experience like that counts for a lot."