Terry ready for Spain
Wednesday, 11 February, 2009
John Terry believes that playing Spain in Seville will be an accurate measure of how far England have come.
Spain v England
International Friendly
9pm (GMT), Wednesday 11 February 2009
Ramon Sánchez Pizjuán Stadium, Sevilla FC
Live on ITV
John Terry is ready for the challenge of taking on European champions Spain in Seville and believes his Three Lions can prove how much they have improved.
England lost 1-0 at Old Trafford to Spain in February 2007, going down to a spectacular strike from Andres Iniesta.
They also lost 1-0 in a friendly in Madrid in 2004 but Terry says the new-look England under Fabio Capello is ready for a different result this time.
He said: “It's going to be an exciting game. Playing against them a few years ago, the way they retain and keep the ball was tough, they frustrated us back then. They keep it so well and are comfortable at the back and dangerous in attack.
“This time we have to look to press them and not give them as much time as we did before.”
Terry is pleased with the progress being made under Capello after missing out on the Euro 2008 Finals and says recent results have gone some way to making up for that disappointment.
He said: “We've not fully made up for what we didn't achieve. But we're moving in the right direction. The way we're playing, getting the results being solid and determined – dogged if you like – and having that winning mentality is rubbing off on everyone. That's where we want to be.
"This is a good test because Spain are a good side. They have proved that with the quality of players in their squad, who can keep the ball and frustrate teams.
"But I think we can learn an awful lot from how they did at Euro 2008. Seeing the changes they made and the spirit in the squad. Watching Euro 2008 they seemed very together. That is something we are trying to achieve here and something we think we’ve got. It’s moving very forward and very fast.
"You see the way they fight and work for each other. That is something that goes an awful long way on and off the pitch. That’s what we’re trying to do too."