Del Bosque reveals keys to success

La Roja thrashed Italy 4-0 in the EURO 2012 final in Kiev, winning an unprecedented third consecutive major trophy.

It made the 61-year-old Del Bosque the first coach to win the European championship, the FIFA World Cup and the UEFA Champions League.

"We believe in what are called the "three P's": pressing (of the opposition to recover the ball), possession (of the ball) and profundity (in attack)," Del Bosque told sports daily AS.

"This is what we try to do in every game.

"Luckily, this approach worked well in the final.

"We never stop believing in our style, because it is this style which has given us success."

Del Bosque said he hadn't been bothered by criticism at the start of EURO 2012 for fielding a revolutionary 4-6-0 formation without an out-and-out striker.

"The debates within football are healthy and do not bother me," he said.

"Amongst ourselves, the coaching staff, we also had doubts and a few arguments about this. But a decision had to be taken ... Luckily, everything turned out well."

The coach said 'common sense' was very important in all decision-making.

"A plan was drawn up before the tournament. Then, as the tournament progressed, the decisions were taken according to the condition and form of our players.

"All the tactical decisions that we took seem to have been successful, the whole world saw that ... These were decisions that were carefully thought out."

Spanish football had progressed tremendously since 2008 - when Spain won EURO 2008, its first trophy since 1964 - Del Bosque said, but warned against over-confidence.

"Now we are the vanguard, when before we used to look at how others were working.

"But success in the past does not guarantee success in the future.

"That's why I always insist on effort, humility and hope. These are the pillars of our team.

"Our next challenge is the 2014 World Cup but first we will have to qualify for it and that will not be easy. It will be difficult."

France is in the same qualifying group as Spain.