We must win, says Morientes

Striker Fernando Morientes insists nothing less than victory will be good enough when perennial under-achievers Spain face Russia in their opening Group A match tomorrow.

Morientes, while out on loan to Monaco, helped put his Real Madrid employers out of the Champions League – the start of a downfall which ended with the Spanish giants losing their Primera Liga title.

However, the 28-year-old will be reunited up front with Real team-mate Raul in the Estadio Algarve, and knows the importance of getting off to a winning start.

He said: “On paper a draw in the first game is a good result, but in reality, we cannot afford for that to happen and it would be very wrong to go into the first game looking only for a draw.

“That would be starting the tournament in the wrong way. We consider ourselves as one of the bigger teams and want to go further, so we have to aim for a victory, although Russia have a strong side, a bit erratic maybe, but with very strong individuals.”

After the opening day clash with Russia, Spain play Greece on June 16 and Portugal four days later, with Morientes hoping his side can seal qualification from the group stages before meeting the hosts.

He added: “It would really be an advantage if we had already qualified before we meet Portugal in the last game of the group stage, because not only are they a very strong side, they will also have the crowd behind them.”

Coach Inaki Saez has one tough decision to make ahead of the clash with Russia - he must choose between young Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas and Valencia veteran Santiago Canizares, with the 23-year-old likely to get the nod.

Canizares, a likely target of Liverpool this summer, said: “The coach will decide if it is Casillas who plays or if I am the chosen one. But it does not really matter.

“I have accepted the challenge of being here in Portugal because I am still useful for the team.”

Real Madrid’s Michel Salgado was forced to pull out of the squad in the build-up to the tournament with a hamstring injury, so Barcelona’s Carles Puyol is set to switch to right-back with Madrid’s Raul Bravo expected to be on the left of the back four.

There is a slight doubt over Valencia midfielder David Albelda, who has a muscle strain, so Xabi Alonso stands by and is “ready to do my job if needed.”