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SPAIN are desperate to make amends for their shock 3-2 defeat by Nigeria and plan to make Paraguay pay dearly tonight for that disaster. Anything other than a win will put them under huge pressure in their final group match with Bulgaria on Wednesday and in danger of a shock first-round exit.
"We all really want to make up for what happened, to go out and play another game to demonstrate that we really are a good team," said defender Fernando Hierro. "We want to show that what happened the other day was just an accident, bad luck." Coach Javier Clemente added: "We need to learn from the Nigerian match, forget it and think only about Paraguay."
The Spaniards confess to knowing little about Paraguay, beyond a video of their 0-0 draw with Bulgaria last Friday and the fact they finished second behind Argentina in the South American qualifiers. But they are determined to quash the tide of ridicule and criticism washing through the Spanish press.
Despite the defensive blunders that handed victory to Nigeria, it is in attack that Clemente is set to make changes. One possibility is to bring in Real Madrid's robust young striker Francisco Morientes, who has scored four goals in his two appearances for the national side, in place of Kiko or Alfonso. Kiko, in particular, failed to trouble the Africans. Guillermo Amor could be drafted in to link with Hierro and add punch to the centre of midfield, though veteran goalkeeper Andoni Zubizarreta seems certain to start despite his gaffe which handed Nigeria their second goal last Saturday, something his teammates support. Striker Raul said: "Zubizarreta is a great pro. Just because he made a mistake, his place should not be in doubt. He deserves respect for all he has brought to the team. He'll prove that against Paraguay."
Defenders Rafael Alkorta and Miguel Angel Nadal have recovered from minor injuries picked up on Saturday and should be fit to play. The South Americans are concerned about their continued inability to score - against Bulgaria their most dangerous moment came from a free-kick by goalkeeper Jose Luis Chilavert which was finger-tipped to safety.
"Spain absolutely have to win this game," said Chilavert, one of the few players to have played for the World Club Champions in his case, Argentina's Velez Sarsfield. "For us, with the point we have, we are going to take advantage of that. If I get a chance to score against Spain, I'll take it." Paraguay scored only 21 goals in 16 qualifying matches and many of those were scored by defenders and one of the most crucial, a free-kick in Argentina, by captain Chilavert, his fourth international goal. "This will be a difficult match for both teams, but I think it will be more so for them because they have to win. Otherwise, they go home."
Chilavert is also an admirer of his opposite number, but was not as stunned by Nigeria's win over Spain as most people. "Andoni is one of the best goalkeepers I know," he said. "Everyone makes mistakes, but the press were really hard on him. The result didn't surprise me, as the African team are really good."
Paraguay coach Paulo Cesar Carpeggiani rates Spain as his team's most difficult group opponents and admits he would have preferred Clemente's side to have beaten Nigeria. "We'll try to be more composed up front," he said. "We weren't against Bulgaria and that prevented us from taking advantage of a couple of good chances. I want my team to attack more. We can play better than we did against Bulgaria. I do not want to wait for Spain to come after us. I want to go after them."
Carpegiani could replace striker Jose Cardozo, who missed their best chance on Friday and has been blamed for the team's lack of firepower. Cesar Ramirez, the 21-year-old Sporting Lisbon striker, could get the nod in his place despite being short of match practice. Other possibles are the veteran Aristides Rojas or the temperamental Hugo Brizuela.
Carpegiani's main injury worry is River Plate central defender Celso Ayala, who played a key role in neutralising Bulgaria's Lyuboslav Penev, but is struggling with a long-term back problem. He could be replaced by 33-year-old hard man Catalino Rivarola of Brazilian side Gremio, who makes up with commitment what he lacks in pace. Right winger Francisco Arce, who missed the opening game, is back from a thigh injury.
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HEAD-TO-HEAD: Chilavert v Zubizarreta
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 YOU COULD hardly find a bigger contrast in experiences from the opening round of games - Chilavert almost scored a glorious goal for Paraguay, Zubi handed Nigeria a way back into the game against Spain. But both are rated among the world's best and most respected goalkeepers and will show that before they leave France. Expect Chilavert to be busier than he was against Bulgaria, and he will relish being under the spotlight. Zubi will be hoping for a quiet game: one cock-up is forgiven by your team-mates. Two is rarely tolerated - not at that age of 36, anyway.
| Name | Chilavert | Zubizarreta
| | Minutes On Pitch | 90 | 90
| | Goals Conceded | 0 | 3
| | Shots Saved - Inside Box | 1 | 3
| | Shots Saved - Outside Box | 2 | 2
| | Crosses Caught | 4 | 3
| | Crosses Dropped | 0 | 0
| | Punches | 0 | 1
| | Errors Leading to Goal | 0 | 1
| | Goal Attempts on Target | 1 | 0
| | Goal Attempts off Target | 0 | 0
| | Penalty Attempts | 0 | 0
| | Free Kicks Conceded | 0 | 0
| | Penalties Conceded | 0 | 0
| | Yellow Card | 0 | 0
| | Red Card | 0 | 0 |
BIG MATCH TRIVIA
Chilavert's four international goals are a world record for a goalkeeper, one more than Colombia's Rene Higuita managed. The Paraguyan has scored from the penalty spot in the qualifiers for the last three World Cups, one of them against Higuita.
Chilavert's opposite number Zubizarreta holds the world record for the most consecutive internbational appearances - 86 in a row from 1985 to 1994.
Spain's Luis Enrique had a poor game in midfield against Nigeria, but Clemente still rates him. He once claimed: "If he was a girl, I'd marry him."
PROBABLE TEAMS
Spain: Andoni Zubizarreta; Carlos Aguilera, Miguel Angel Nadal, Rafael Alkorta, Sergi; Fernando Hierro, Guillermo Amor; Luis Enrique, Alfonso, Raul, Fernando Morientes.
Paraguay: Jose Luis Chilavert; Catalino Rivarola, Carlos Gamarra, Pedro Sarabia, Roberto Acuna, Miguel Benitez, Julio Cesar Enciso, Carlos Morales, Carlos Paredes, Jorge Campos, Cesar Ramirez.
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News 5 
