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DEL BOSQUE - ARMENIA WILL BE TOUGH
del Bosque - expects tough test.
Spain coach Vicente del Bosque has warned his side to expect another tough outing against Armenia on Wednesday after seeing them squeeze past battling Bosnia-Herzegovina this weekend.
The European champions got their World Cup qualifying campaign off to a winning start in Murcia but were made to work for their three points, with David Villa netting the only goal of the game in the second half having earlier missed a penalty.
Spain have another home qualifier in four days' time and Del Bosque is anticipating another hard evening's work for his men against Armenia.
"I think it will be similar because all our rivals look at us as what we are, as champions, and this leads them to take precautions and put lots of men back, but I have confidence in the team," said Del Bosque.
"What is important is that we have the same attitude as against Bosnia, where we went out with intensity, focus and humility. I've already said that our main rivals are ourselves."
Spain had gone into Saturday's match on the back of a 23-match unbeaten run and still buoyant from the Euro 2008 success this summer, but Del Bosque insists he knew it would not be easy against Bosnia-Herzegovina.
"The qualification phase is very tough because there is no margin for error. We knew that Bosnia would come and put men behind the ball, close up the space, and they have made it difficult for us," the former Real Madrid coach added.
"The truth is that in the first half we've not been quite there, but in the second we turned things round and imposed our style on the game.
"We've picked up three important points. Now we have to think of Armenia, who will not make things easy for us either in Albacete on Wednesday," added Del Bosque.
Bosnia-Herzegovina coach Miroslav Blazevic said following the 1-0 reverse: "Although we've lost, we were playing against the best team in the world and a 1-0 result is a small margin, for this I'm proud of my team.
"They (Spain) have gone two years without losing and have obtained a deserved win."
