Enrique opens up on Spain's struggles to break down opponents

Former world champions Spain have mustered just five shots on target across their last two matches following Sunday’s win.

Luis Enrique defended Spain’s recent struggles upfront, insisting they are down to the defensive tactics of the opposition rather than the team’s own ability.

After seeing a dominant performance end in a 1-1 draw against Greece last week, a similar fate almost fell upon Spain again during Sunday’s second World Cup qualifier at Georgia.

La Roja were only minutes away from a second consecutive 1-1 stalemate until Dani Olmo’s late strike spared them. The performance, though, wasn’t convincing. Georgia, buoyed by 15,000 attending supporters, made life uncomfortable on the counter. The hosts even went ahead through a Khvicha Kvaratskhelia goal before half-time.

Spain delivered a better display in the second half, with Ferran Torres and Olmo supplying the match-winning goals. But while the visitors had the lion’s share of possession and opportunities, they mustered only three shots on target.

And Enrique, whose side had just two shots on target against Greece, expects a similar problem against Kosovo on Wednesday.

“There are no small rivals, especially when they drop deep and defend in numbers,” the Spain manager told TVE. “If you are not on top of your game then you will suffer.

“Unfortunately, this is the way it is going to be against Kosovo as well.”

Enrique, who celebrated Olmo’s winner wildly on the touchline, added: “I was on the verge of a heart attack.

“We have been losing confidence and you could see that in the first half.

“We conceded from a slight defensive error and knew it would be complicated from that point on. Our intention was to play more passes inside and create more opportunities.”

Spain sit second in Group B of their World Cup qualification campaign on four points from two games behind Sweden.

4 – Spain 🇪🇸 have earned four points last minutes since Luis Enrique returned to the charge (las ten games): one in Germany & another in Switzerland in UEFA Nations League; and two today vs Georgia 🇬🇪 in European World Cup Qualifier. Perseverance#GeorgiaSpain pic.twitter.com/mW9rCHGBWo

— OptaJose (@OptaJose) March 28, 2021