Mariona Caldentey: “It is the best national team match and we know that we have to win by two goals”

The midfielder of the Spanish team Mariona Caldentey commented this Thursday that Spain – England is “the best national team match” that can be enjoyed today and that they are aware that “they have to win and do it by two goals” if they want to qualify for the 2027 World Cup.

“It is the best national team match that we can play today. The match sells itself. We know that we have to win and do it by two goals. So there is enough motivation for the Mallorcans and for the rest to go out and play a good match,” said the Arsenal midfielder in the press conference prior to the duel against England in the qualifying phase for the 2027 World Cup.

Mariona noted that she has “a lot of respect for England” for everything they have done and “how hard” it is to play against them. “We know that the games are always close. We want to be in the World Cup as soon as possible and we know that that means having to beat them. We are at home and the team is doing very well. We arrive with few casualties. If any team can beat the English team by two goals, it is Spain,” he added.

Regarding the fact of needing a two-goal advantage to qualify, the Mallorcan explained that they prepare for the game “like everyone else.” “There is nothing special in that sense. We want to try to score the first as soon as possible, but knowing that it can also happen at times and that we have a lot of quality and a lot of goals up front,” he said.

“We have beaten them in the past and that also gives us confidence, but it is true that they are a tough and very difficult team. They have a coach who always plans the games very well, but we are confident that we have beaten them. We are an ambitious team. I hope things go well for us tomorrow because I think we deserve it,” he expressed about the fact of beating England after two defeats against them in the last two games.

Regarding the game plan, Mariona acknowledged that they feel “comfortable” when they can “dominate the game and attack them.” “From there, it is very important to know how to apply pressure after a loss and cut off counterattacks so that they cannot hurt us. There is a lot of rivalry, a lot of respect,” he stressed.

Regarding Aitana’s return, they stated that they are “super happy to have her back.” “It has been a hard year for her and a significant loss for us. But the most important thing is that she is back. Having very good players and leaders for the locker room is super important and I think that is why we are in a good moment,” she analyzed.

The Arsenal team will play at home a match to which they arrive with great “motivation and desire” and in which they will have great support from the stands of many of their Felanitx countrymen. “We know that Mallorcan players are in a very privileged position playing here,” she concluded.