European Football

MADRID, Sept 5 (Reuters) - Vicente del Bosque said on Friday he was used to handling the pressure of being in charge of the team to beat ahead of his competitive debut as Spain coach.

The former Real Madrid boss, who replaced Luis Aragones after their Euro 2008 triumph, is preparing Spain for their opening 2010 World Cup qualifiers against Bosnia at home on Saturday, and Armenia four days later.

The weight of expectation that comes with leading a team that tops the FIFA world rankings was not a problem for Del Bosque.

"I am used to that. The team I was at before was always the one everyone wanted to see beaten," the 57-year-old told a news conference.

Del Bosque spent more than 30 years involved with Real Madrid as a player and then a coach, steering them to two Champions League titles and two Primera Liga championships.

"It's a positive thing. They will all come out to beat the European champions but we are our own worst enemies. The past doesn't make us stronger but it shouldn't make us weaker," he added.

"The players are well aware of what they have achieved and that the future starts again from tomorrow against Bosnia. It's a long road with little margin for error and we need to apply ourselves from the first moment."

Spain have not lost against Bosnia in four previous meetings, but only managed 1-1 draws home and away in qualifying for the 2006 World Cup finals in Germany.

Spain play Bosnia in Murcia, and Armenia in Albacete next Wednesday. The other teams in Group Five are Belgium, Estonia, and Turkey. (