Juan Mata has admitted Spain fear England ahead of the 2024 European Championship finals in Berlin.
The Spain legend, who scored in the 2012 Euro final to see his country win a second successive trophy, claimed his compatriots at home fear the Three Lions and the attacking threats they pose.
‘We [Spain] “I’m scared,” Mata said during the BBC broadcast of the final. “Yesterday I was confident, today I’m scared.
‘You [England] players who can win a game in a second. We know we go into this final as favourites, but we know what England are capable of.’
The former Chelsea and Manchester United midfielder explained that his country must be careful not to get caught out on the attack, otherwise Harry Kane and co. will punish them.
Juan Mata has admitted Spain fear England ahead of the 2024 Euro finals
Harry Kane and the Three Lions hope to win their first ever European Championship
“We want to attack but we have to be careful because if we do that, we create space at the back and we can be exposed. If England do that, we will be in trouble,” Mata added.
‘As for the critics and people who say Kane is not at his best, it’s like Morata. Morata opens up the space for the wingers and he does a good job. I really hope Morata can score today because that will put a lot of his critics to shame.’
At the other end of the pitch, Luke Shaw was named in England’s starting line-up.
The Manchester United defender had been out of the starting line-up since February due to a hamstring injury, but he worked his way back to full fitness for the final, replacing Kieran Trippier in Berlin.
It was the only change manager Gareth Southgate made after the 2-1 semi-final win over the Netherlands.
Shaw came on as a substitute in the quarter-final against Switzerland and at half-time against the Netherlands.
Mata explained that Spain must be careful not to be caught out on the attack, given England’s attack
He opened the scoring just two minutes into the 2020 European Championship final, which England eventually lost to Italy on penalties.
Spain, meanwhile, made two changes from their own 2-1 semi-final win over France, as Dani Carvajal and Robin Le Normand returned to defence.