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Reina: No one can play like Spain

Comment: 1 November 9th, 2011 by: admin

Spanish keeper Pepe Reina recently stated publicly that other national teams trying to imitate Spain’s manner of playing are only setting themselves up for major disappointment.

According to Reina, who also plays keeper for Liverpool in the Premier League, competitors trying to imitate their style so would have to go beyond just copying their system.

‘It is not always possible to play our way’, said Reina.  ‘It depends on the player and the team and depends on the philosophy you have.’

He continued to reveal that it is the makeup of the team itself that helps set them apart and prevents other teams from copying them exactly.

‘Not everyone can play as we do because no one has the quality of players we have,’ Reina continued.

‘We have found a great generation of players of the same age,’ he explained.  ‘These players know how to win because they have won already in their club divisions.’

Currently holding the title of World and European champions, the Spanish team have developed a reputation of being one of the deadliest squads with some of the most influential players in football today.

La Liga squad Barcelona, known as one of the world’s greatest squads with three Champions League titles in six years, is mostly made up of Spanish internationals.

The Spanish team has Reina playing keeper along with Barcelona’s Victor Valdes and Real Madrid’s Iker Casillas.  This lineup has seen Reina’s contribution limited, giving him only 23 caps since 2005.

When asked, however, the Spanish player expressed his utter delight for playing with the national team nevertheless.

‘The team has 23 very important players but only 11 can start,’ he said.  ‘In my case, it has been an absolute pleasure.  We are the champions of Europe and the world.  To be a world champion with my national team is a dream come true.’

Of his caps, Reina was part of only one match during their victorious Euro 2008 campaign, and was not able to take the field during the World Cup in South Africa.  However he expressed his desire to play against England in the upcoming friendly match this weekend.

‘Any time you go with the national team you want to win, and every time you play England it is a special game,’ he said.

The upcoming match between the two squads is set to take place in Wembley this Saturday.

The Spanish team currently hold a dominating form against the English, claiming victory in the teams’ last three matches.

Spain currently sit at the top of the FIFA rankings table, while England are at number 7.

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