Spain coach Montse Tomé has mentioned she has to rein Aitana Bonmatí in because the midfielder pushes to begin Thursday’s European Championship opener towards Portugal after recovering from viral meningitis.
Again-to-back Ballon d’Or winner Bonmatí was hospitalised final Friday however was launched over the weekend and joined up together with her teammates at their base in Switzerland on Monday.
“Aitana’s restoration goes properly,” Tomé mentioned within the prematch information convention. “She did some [individual] coaching on her personal with the health staff on Tuesday.
“Her evolution has been actually constructive. She’s going to do some work with the remainder of the squad within the closing session [on Wednesday] earlier than the sport.
“I’ve to spotlight how determined she is to play. Now we have to place the brakes on her at instances, but it surely’s all constructive.
“Clearly her well being comes first. It isn’t been an ideal state of affairs, however fortunately she’s recovered actually shortly.”
Goalkeeper Cata Coll was additionally a doubt to face Portugal after coming down with tonsillitis in the beginning of the week, however Tomé advised the Barcelona stopper might be effective to begin at Stadion Wankdorf.
Spain might be with out captain Irene Paredes, although, because the centre-back serves the second of a two-game ban for a purple card accrued throughout the qualification part for the match a yr in the past.
Italy and Belgium be a part of Spain and Portugal in Group B, with La Roja the favourites to not solely progress to the quarterfinals, however to win the entire match.
European champions England, Germany and France are among the many groups anticipated to be the largest challengers to Spain, who’ve by no means beforehand received the Euros and have not even reached a semifinal since 1997.
“We do not like labels,” midfielder Patri Guijarro mentioned in a information convention when requested if she agreed that Spain are the favourites to raise the trophy in Basel on the finish of July.
“There are lots of highly effective groups right here. All groups are 200% ready to try to win each sport. We’ll attempt the identical.
“Clearly our goal proper now’s to win tomorrow; then short-term to get out of the group. However you understand we’re formidable and we need to win all of it.
“It is flattering if others concentrate on us, like how we play and the way now we have developed as a staff. However in a Euros, it’s important to concentrate on yourselves.
“Everybody you face needs three factors, to win, to knock you out. On daily basis is life or dying right here, both you keep otherwise you’re going residence.”