"Xabi Alonso is amazing but I’m a different player" - Iturraspe

International call-up: “This is the second time for me and I feel much more comfortable and settled. What has surprised me the most has been the sessions of ‘piggy-in-the-middle’ in training, I can't belive how quickly the ball is passed about. It’s a pleasure to be here; at first you have a few doubts about how the rest of the players will take to you but everyone is very normal and natural, just like me”.

I have been welcomed on board by everybody. It’s difficult to get into the Spain squad because the standards and the quality of the players is so high. I have to train hard so that I can be at my best level and enter into the side little by little”.

How did you find out that you had been called up? “I had only just woken up and then I started to receive lots of messages, SMS’ and wasaps. It was incredible. People had been saying that I might get called but when it actually happens, it’s a massive step. I took me completely by surprise but I am extremely happy about it”.

Brazil World Cup: “Spain is one of the best national sides of all-time and that is no mean feat. It came as a shock but we’ll get over it with time”.

New faces: “The enthusiasm that the new players have brought to the squad is amazing: the desire to compete is completely natural. They are an example to follow and to be surrounded by players like them and have their influence rub off on you is a real privilege”.

France friendly: “We didn’t expect that result. We were really looking forward to get back to winning ways. It was a minor blow but we stood up to them, we were competitive even if we didn’t get any shots on target. There were positive things that we could take from the game”.

How do you see your role in the team? “I am just trying to do what I do with my club. I feel in good shape and I will adapt to whatever the coach wants from me”.

Tonight’s rivals: “We’ve taken a look at Macedonia; we’ve seen how they defend from strategic moves, how they attack and so on. We’ve studied them and we’re ready for them”.

Role models: “I’ve always tried to be like players who have played in my position like Pablo Orbaiz at Athletic Club or in the national team, players like Marcos Senna, Busquets and Xabi Alonso – all of them top quality midfielders”.

Do you see yourself as Xabi Alonso’s successor? “Xabi has achieved many amazing things in the game; he has brought so much to every club he has played for as well as the national side. I do try to learn things from him, but obviously I am a completely different player”.

from Últimas noticias | Diario AS http://ift.tt/1xy74XL

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