WORLD CUP: Spain versus Chile preview

Fernando Torres has warned that Spain are
prepared to win at all costs against Chile on
Wednesday - even if it means abandoning
their usual stylish football.
Spain know only a victory against their Group
B opponents at the Maracana in Rio de
Janeiro will suffice following their 5-1
humbling by Holland last week.
Spain boss Vicente del Bosque has said he
will make some changes - Gerard Pique's and
Xavi's places are at risk - but could keep faith
with keeper Iker Casillas who made a couple
of bad mistakes against the Dutch.
Chelsea striker Torres said the reigning world
and European champions cannot even
contemplate going out of the tournament.
He told a news conference: "The important
thing is that we win, hopefully in our usual
style, at the high level that allowed us to win
the World Cup and the Euros. And if we can't
win like that, we have to win any way we can,
because otherwise we'll have to go back
home. All that's important tomorrow is that
Spain plays and wins."
Torres admitted the pressure will be intense
against a Chile side who saw off Australia to
put themselves just a win away from
qualifying.
He added: "We think that the match is going to
be like any matches against Chile - it's going
to be really intense. They take a lot of risks
because that's the way they are.
"They've had good results with that so we
have to fight from the beginning, but we have
to be calm at the same time. We know a
draw's not enough. We need to win, but we
need to stay calm. One of the problems
against Holland was we weren't able to
interpret what was going on and that's
something we're usually good at.
"We feel a responsibility to defend our title,
and there's pressure, but it's a shared
pressure. We won as a team and if we lose,
we lose as a team. If we win it'll be the whole
team - 23 players plus coaches and everyone
else.
"We're not even thinking about the possibility
of defeat."
Del Bosque said the team "are really hurting"
and added: "We still have a chance to
progress in the World Cup but this situation
has made a response from the players
necessary if we want to advance."
Barcelona midfielder Andres Iniesta said the
days since the Holland defeat had been agony,
and pointed out that Spain had lost their
opening match of the last World Cup - 1-0 to
Switzerland - but still went on to win the
tournament.
He said: "I wished we had played one or two
days after because the waiting has been really
hard.
"We must forget what has happened and put it
behind us. We have two matches that are now
like finals. We had a similar situation at the
last World Cup and will give it our very best to
win and get to the second phase.
"Chile are a difficult team. We have to defend,
fight one versus one and hope our creative
players can make the difference."
Meanwhile, Spain's third-choice keeper David
de Gea, the Manchester United player, is still
injured, according to Spanish team officials.
Chile coach Jorge Sampaoli said he would
make a decision close to kick-off on Juventus
midfielder Arturo Vidal, who only played for
the first half of the 3-1 win over Australia.
Vidal had knee surgery a month ago and is
still getting back to full fitness.
Sampaoli told a news conference: "I always
said it was very difficult for him to join us here
because he had a very serious injury and he
had surgery.
"However, he managed to play some minutes
against Australia and we'll see how he feels
now. He's been training at a higher pace this
week and we'll see if he can play some
minutes.
"We analyse his situation every single day.
We know he's recovering now, he feels much
better and he's here because he's really
dedicated and willing to play.
"Arturo wants to play for the national team
and we're very happy to have him here, if that
doesn't damage him."
Sampaoli knows Spain will be fighting for their
lives.
He added: "I think they will be difficult to beat.
Don't forget they're one of the best teams in
the world.
"I'm sure the game will be quite different
because Spain are really strong and I'm pretty
sure the Spain coach will have some sort of
strategy."