Del Bosque warns Portugal are tough side

(GSM) – Spain coach Vicente Del Bosque warned that Portugal look like a formidable opponent and that it will be a difficult game for his side on Tuesday.

The red fury have bounced back from losing their opening game to Switzerland 1-0 and they have beaten Honduras by a 2-0, before beating 10-man Chile 2-1.

But the Portuguese finished second in their group after goalless draws with Ivory Coast and Brazil and a 7-0 rout of North Korea.

“We’ve seen how they controlled the game against Brazil, hitting them on the counter-attack,” Del Bosque said.

“Portugal are going to be a very tough side. I take no satisfaction from the fact we’re up against Portugal instead of Brazil. They are both great national teams.”

“We were very upset when we lost to Switzerland. We had to go against the current, swim upstream,” the 59-year-old tactician explained.

“I think as from now we will be more optimistic in every sense of the word and I’m sure that optimism will be seen on the pitch.”

Spain midfielder Xabi Alonso is still uncertain after spraining his right ankle in the Chile match on Friday, while centre-back Raul Albiol is also a doubt with a shin injury.