As Portugal’s Euro 2012 semi-final date with Spain draws ever closer, key members of the Spanish camp have been reflecting on their thoughts ahead of Wednesday’s clash. Here is what they had to say.

Portugal might be forced into making a personnel change, with striker Hélder Postiga sidelined by a hamstring injury, but “La Roja” coach Vicente del Bosque is not expecting Paulo Bento to spring any tactical surprises when the two teams line up in Donetsk:

“They are going to keep the 4-3-3 that they have used so far. It is true that the other teams that we have faced have made reinforcements to their defence, but I don't expect that Portugal will change anything.”

Del Bosque is clearly an admirer of the Selecção, who beat his side 4-0 in a friendly back in November 2010, heaping praise on all areas of the side:

“Portugal have players like Nani, who is a very intelligent footballer, Moutinho with his clever passes, Meireles and his powerful shots from outside of the area. They have strong and powerful defenders and two full-backs that fit well in their attacking shape.”

Spain are famous for playing a possession game, but the World Cup-winning coach is aware that this approach could play into Portugal’s hands:

“They don’t need much of the ball because with one counter-attack or one long ball they have Ronaldo. It is obvious that he is a one-off; there is nobody else like him. I would like to keep him quiet and not let him play, like we did two years ago when he ended up very frustrated, but this will need lots of team-work in order to deny him space when Portugal have the ball.”

However, centre-back Gerard Piqué is determined not to pay Portugal’s star man too much attention:

“We are not going to approach the game like an individual battle with Ronaldo, it will be more of a collective duel. He is the one of the best players in the world but we are not going to only focus on him, we have to keep an eye on all of our opponents. We are going to try and impose our game on them by having more than 60% of possession. They will be less dangerous this way.”

Spain’s midfield playmaker Xavi Hernández knows all about the talent within Portugal’s squad, having seen three of them beat his Barcelona team to the La Liga crown with Real Madrid this year:

“Portugal are not just Ronaldo. He is an important player for them but they are a tough team with other top-quality players like Nani and Coentrão. We respect them a lot. Portugal are better now than when we faced them in the 2010 World Cup, and are currently playing very well.”

Spain have raised a few eyebrows during this tournament by playing without a recognised striker in the starting eleven. One man who could occupy the ‘false nine’ position on Wednesday is Cesc Fabregas, and the Barcelona midfielder is not expecting an easy time of it should he get the nod:

“Portugal are going to be a difficult opponent because they have wonderful individual talents and very strong players. Not only are they very talented, but they are also excellent on the counter-attack. We are going to have to work very hard if we are to come out on top.”

It certainly promises to be a fascinating game as the two Iberian rivals look to secure the first spot in the final of Euro 2012. Stick with PortuGOAL for all the build-up, in-match discussion and post-match reaction.