Spain midfielder Andres Iniesta has singled out possession as the key factor when his side meet France in their Euro 2012 quarter-final this evening.

 

La Roja have come in for serious criticism back at home and the holders looked in trouble at times in their final Group C match against Croatia, before ultimately sealing victory late on through Jesus Navas.

 

Coach Vicente del Bosque’s decision not to field a striker in Spain’s Euro 2012 opener against Italy also met with astonished looks back in the country.

 

Now Spain face possibly their hardest test of the tournament so far when they play France in a winner-takes-all contest.

 

And with both teams liking to pass the ball and control the game, Iniesta is in no doubt that possession is what is likely to decide the match.

 

"It will be a very hard-fought match, meaning that they will want lots of possession", the Spanish midfielder told UEFA.

 

"They like to pass the ball around well and have great quality in the team, especially from midfield to their attack.

 

"They’re a very dangerous team. The key will be how effective we are and how much possession we have.

 

"We need to be aggressive and intense in possession, create, and take our chances. In knockout stages like this you really need to be clinical, and that’s what matches like this are all about."

 

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