Spain embrace favourites tag but De la Fuente warns World Cup offers no guarantees

MADRID, June 6 : Spain arrive at the World Cup as favourites and manager Luis de la Fuente, architect of the side who won the Euros in remarkable fashion two years ago, is in no mood to play down the hype.

Sitting down with Reuters before the tournament, he embraced the favourites tag as a long-overdue pat on the back for a project he has dedicated his life to for over a decade, working his way from Spain's grassroots programmes to the senior squad.

"We're delighted that's the case," De la Fuente said.

"It helps us approach this World Cup with great enthusiasm, with the enthusiasm of those who want to achieve something significant, of those who are insatiable in their competitive spirit and who want to keep improving."

He is, however, wary of complacency, not mistaking plaudits for any guarantee of success in a World Cup he believes may be too crowded with contenders for anyone to swagger in as if they have won anything in advance.

"If we think that being favourites guarantees anything, we're on the wrong track ... it guarantees nothing!" he said.

"There are eight or 10 teams where you say, 'They're absolutely top-class teams'. As good as ours? Of course! Do we feel as strong as them at this point? Of course we do! But that guarantees nothing."

SPAIN'S INJURY CONCERNS ARE EASING

Spain open Group H against World Cup debutants Cape Verde on June 15, with De la Fuente confident that injury concerns over Lamine Yamal, Nico Williams and Mikel Merino are easing.

Yamal and Williams sustained hamstring injuries in mid-April while Merino has been sidelined since January after undergoing surgery on his right foot to address a stress fracture. 

"I believe they will all be available for the first match," he said. "That doesn't mean they'll