Fabulous Fabregas will await his chance

Published on Friday 27 June 2008 11:17

CESC FABREGAS has declared himself ready if Spain coach Luis Aragones needs him for the Euro 2008 final on Sunday against Germany.

Arsenal midfielder Fabregas came off the bench in last night's semi-final win against Russia when David Villa, the tournament's top scorer, picked up a muscle injury to his leg at Vienna's Ernst Happel Stadium.

Spain took the lead through Xavi before Fabregas set up the next two goals in a 3-0 win played during an electrical storm in the Austrian capital.

"I am here when the manager needs me," Fabregas said.

"It is good, we came here to win the tournament and we got to the final, which I think is the most difficult thing. In the final anything can happen, a lot of things can influence the game."

Fabregas has played a pivotal role for Spain, coming off the bench in the quarter-final triumph over Italy and ultimately converting the clinching spot-kick in a penalty shoot-out. He was sensational in an attacking midfield role last night and is just happy to be a part of the success.

"This game was there to be enjoyed as children do when they play in the park," said Fabregas.

"I have always felt important in this national team and when things go as well as they did, everything becomes easier.

"We have felt very comfortable on the pitch."

Aragones admitted the enforced change to a five-man midfield made the difference and that Villa, pictured below, was a huge doubt for the final.

"With Cesc we had another midfielder and it was difficult to control," said Aragones. "I know how well he can perform, he is a great player like others in our squad.

"It's better for numbers and pressure (to have an extra midfielder] and that is how Xavi scored his goal. The point is to make them feel free.

"Cesc is 21, he and other players have acquired the experience that you might have of an older player. This is something that matters for the 2008 tournament but I'm sure it will matter for the World Cup as well."

Aragones may have been talking about the 2010 World Cup qualifiers but he refused to be drawn on his own future, and whether he will join Fenerbahce, until after the final on Sunday.

The Spain boss also revealed he has been getting advice from England about how difficult the Germans will be.

"Gary Lineker said that Germany can win against any team they play," Aragones said. "I know him because I was at Barcelona with him and he is a great guy.

"Germany are Germany and they seem to win against whoever they play.

"Let's see if they let us play, but it is very difficult for any team against us, especially when we add pace to our game.

"Physically Germany are stronger, but we play at such a pace that other sides end up getting more tired than us."

Spain took control against Russia in the second half, with Xavi stabbing in from Andres Iniesta's pass before Fabregas set up Daniel Guiza and David Silva.

Iniesta, who was named man of the match, said: "To me the most important thing is the happiness everyone feels, we made it to the final and wanted it so much. The reward is for everyone, we all worked for it and it is our work together."

Villa insists he would "play on one leg" in Sunday's final if Aragones allowed him to – but he knows injury is about to keep him out of the biggest games of his career.

The Valencia striker, one of his country's star players in the competition and the finals' top scorer, left the game early in the first half.

Villa left the stadium without talking to reporters but later spoke to Spanish radio and said: "Now I have to enjoy the show from outside.

"I am very happy although it's clear that after the substitution I felt very bad. To play on Sunday would be a lottery – I would do it even if I had to play on one leg but this is a team. There are other players that will do better 100 per cent than one who is injured."