Euro 2020: Spain team feels its intensity and determination are on the right track

Spain international Jordi Alba has rejected suggestions that their Euro 2020 squad lacks the passion and intensity of previous Spanish teams after they stuttered to a 1-1 draw with Poland that leaves them third in Group E with no guarantees of promotion.

The Spaniards are on two points after draws with Sweden and Poland, and Saturday’s clash suggested they still have some way to go to find their top form as they prepare to face Slovakia.

Just as they did in their dull scoreless draw with Sweden, Spain dominated possession but struggled in front of goal as Gerard Moreno missed a penalty and Alvaro Morata, despite scoring, wasted a number of good second-half chances.

“I really think that in terms of the intensity and the determination, you really can’t question that, but of course there are plenty of things to improve, that’s the same for all teams, but I think we’re all doing a fantastic job,” he told reporters.

“We’re annoyed with the result but if we continue working hard I’m sure that the result will come. On Wednesday we have another match, another final, and we’re going to try and continue giving all that we have to win and to get through to the next round.”

Gerard Moreno hit a post with a second-half penalty and Morata allowed a number of decent chances go begging, but for the most part, Spain were once again pedestrian in possession and lacking bite in attack.