Coach Luis Aragones is confident that Spain can easily oust France from the World Cup when the lock heads in their round of 16 game in Hanover on Tuesday. "All respect to the French, but I'm sure we'll get past them and reach the quarter finals," Aragones was quoted as saying by BBC Sport on Monday. Aragones' confidence is backed by the Spaniards thrashing of Ukraine and Tunisia before beating Saudi Arabia en rout to clinching their Group H summit and advancing to the knockout stages. "They (France) are a very good team but I'm convinced we'll beat them, I believe we will get back to our best." Meanwhile Aragones' French opposite number Raymond Domenech stressed that neither team has the upper hand in Tuesday's match. "I don't make favorites or outsiders, we start the game 0-0, FIFA rankings make no difference, it's what happens on the pitch that matters," Domenech said.
But the French boss stated that it will take his players a lot of effort to knock off Spain. "If we aren't solid at the back we might as well prepare our ticket home." Domenech said that despite Spain's fashionable first round performances, his team will be well prepared for the game. “Spain have quality players and score a lot of goals, but we know them well, we must find and exploit weaknesses,” Domenech considered. "Spain go into the second round encounter with a fully fit squad after Aragones rested some of the team stars against Saudi Arabia, while skipper Zinedine Zidane as well as Eric Abidal will be both back for France after returning from suspension."
