MATCH 02 REVIEW : VICTORY VINDICATES SAEZ SWITCH

Spain coach Iñaki Sáez paid tribute to Juan Carlos Valerón after the midfield player handed his side victory against Russia in their opening Group A game by scoring with his first touch after coming off the bench.

Sáez relief
The game was scoreless when Sáez sent Valerón on to replace Fernando Morientes in the 59th minute in Faro-Loulé, but just over 30 seconds later the RC Deportivo La Coruña playmaker had broken the deadlock after latching onto Carlos Puyol's cross. A satisfied Sáez said: "The first game is always difficult and it's a big relief to start off with a victory."

Tactical change
Of the substitution he added: "It wasn't working out for Morientes. I wanted to push Raúl [González] further forward and we needed a player like Valerón to thread the passes through. He took his chance well but that is the kind of opportunity I expect a player like him to take."

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