After seeing off France to land a Euro 2012 semi-final against Portugal on Wednesday, title-holders Spain say they see their rivals as the toughest of obstacles.

“Portugal are a very strong team,” said Francisco Jimenez, technical assistant to coach Vicente Del Bosque.

“I think they are the team who will pose us most problems of all given the way they play their high line pressing,” added Jimenez.

The Spanish of course know all too well the havoc which Cristiano Ronaldo can wreak, not least because of his 60 goals for Real Madrid last season as he helped his club break Barcelona’s domestic stranglehold in La Liga.

And three goals at the Euros after a slow start engendered criticism shows that the former Manchester United man is at the top of his game as he prepares to face three clubmates in Iker Casillas, Sergio Ramos and Xabi Alonso, scorer of the goals which beat the French.

“He is a player who is physically very strong, a real goalscorer - but we will not be changing our style to suit him, said Del Bosque assistant Toni Grande.

Jimenez pointed out that “they don’t just have Ronaldo in their team - they have two of the best central defenders in Europe (in Pepe and Bruno Alves, a midfield which moves the ball around very well and players up front who can knock opponents out of their stride.”