France may welcome back from suspension Zidane for whom, if Aragones prediction comes true, it will be the last match of his glittering career.
KAMEN: "All respect to the French, but I am sure we will get past them to reach the quarter-finals."
So says Spain coach Luis Aragones, whose red and blue (never yellow, because it brings him bad luck) "furia" have waltzed into the second phase where they now take on the 1998 champions in Hanover on Tuesday.
France may welcome back from suspension ageing warhorse Zinedine Zidane for whom, if Aragones prediction comes true, it will be the last match of his glittering career.
But having squashed Ukraine and Tunisia and then sent the reserves out to dismiss the Saudis the white-haired Aragones could afford to be a satisfied man as he surveyed the first phase at team headquarters in Kamen.
"To carry on we have to go out there and beat them. France are a very good team, there is no doubt about that - but I am convinced we will beat them. For that we have to do things well, to play our game well and not make mistakes," said the "Wise man of Hortaleza," 67 years of age and not afraid to speak his mind.
There is an edge to the game as it was Aragones who caused a storm last year by making a racially-charged comment about France striker Thierry Henry to gee up Spanish striker and Arsenal clubmate Jose Antonio Reyes.
French coach Raymond Domenech said after the win over Togo which took Les Bleus through that "there is a little personal history" between the two countries owing to that incident but he will shake his rival's hand.
The encounter will be a re-run of a memorable 1984 European Championship final which the French won with a Michel Platini in his prime.
French midfield veteran Patrick Vieira noted that "Spain are one of the best teams in the tournament, so we will concentrate hard and will be ready."
Aragones says that the Spanish, who have so often flattered to deceive, are coming of age.
"I have confidence in my impressive team. I am sure we are going to go through. The team truly believes that and I am also convinced of it," Aragones insisted.
"France are a great team and give me a few causes for concern but if we measure up and attack them where it hurts we can come out on top."
Aragones warned of the continued threat from Zidane, "who is very dangerous, maybe not in the context of a 70 or 80-match season - but of one game.
"Spain will play the game which suits her. I think we are quicker with balls to feet. But the French have a few areas where they are better - maybe less creative but they put you under pressure. For that reason it will be more difficult to control the ball than it has been up to now," Aragones said.
In 27 previous meetings, Spain have won 11 to ten for France with six draws. But the bulk of Spain's wins came in friendlies and they were found wanting in 1984 when Platini and co proved far too strong. Tuesday will be their first World Cup meeting.
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