Alonso warns Ireland over tactics

XABI ALONSO has warned Ireland that copying England’s tactics won’t be enough to beat Spain next summer.

England recently beat the World and European champions in a friendly at Wembley by adopting hugely defensive tactics and won the match 1-0 from a set-piece goal, finished off by Frank Lampard.

But Real Madrid midfelder Alonso says Spain will be a different proposition in the championship finals. He said: “Friendlies are not the same as competitive games, you try to give the same but sometimes it’s not possible.