Euro 2012 qualifying preview: Spain v Czech Republic

Spain will be eager to preserve their perfect record in the Euro 2012 qualifiers when they meet the Czech Republic in Granada on Friday.

The defending world and European champions sit atop Group I with three wins from as many games, while their opponents lie in second place, having recorded two victories and a loss.Spain will be without Carles Puyol, Cesc Fabregas and Pedro Rodriguez for the Friday’s qualifier, with Andoni Iraola, Javi Mart?nez (both of Athletic Bilbao) and Valencia’s Juan Mata being drafted into the squad in their place.Puyol’s absence is likely to see Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos move into the centre of defence to partner Gerard Pique.Spain playmaker Xavi will make his 100th appearance for the national team against the Czechs, while David Villa, who has scored two goals so far in qualifying, will equal Raul’s record tally of 44 goals for the country should he score on Friday.Spain boss Vicente Del Bosque has labelled his Friday opponents “one of the best teams in Europe in recent years”.”They are our biggest threat. They have great physical and technical qualities,” Del Bosque said.The Czech Republic welcome back Galatasaray forward Milan Baros from injury; the former Liverpool ace is expected to provide a much-needed scoring outlet.The 1996 European Championship runners-up have registered only three goals in qualifying so far and will be eager to have Baros back in the fold.The fixture will pit Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech against his new club team-mate Fernando Torres, and Cech was keen to point out he has never finished on the winning side when facing the former Liverpool favourite.”He (has) beat me in every game we played in as opponents,” Cech said. “I hope it will be different on Friday.”Czech coach Michal Bilek stressed the importance of neutralising the Spanish passing game by keeping a compact shape when the World Cup champions are in possession.”They are beatable from time to time, it is possible to achieve a reasonable result against them,” Bilek said. “We need to tighten up the space in our own half and make it impossible for their key players to pass the ball. We will aim for quick counter-attacks after winning possession.”