Juan Mata: Has full faith in Fernando Torres to be 'key' for Spain this summer

Juan Mata has told Sky Sports that defending champions Spain cannot afford to be complacent at Euro 2012 and the Chelsea star is also fully aware of the threat of England.

Vicente del Bosque's squad begin the defence of their trophy against Italy in Gdansk on Sunday before then taking on Republic of Ireland and Croatia in Group C.

Spain are favourites with bookmakers, but if they are to retain their crown they have to become the first team in history to win back-to-back European titles at the same time as being champions of the world.

UEFA Champions League winner Mata knows that there is a great deal of expectation upon himself and his international squad mates and is also aware that a winning start is important.

The playmaker, who was not a part of Euro 2008 but did go to the 2010 World Cup, told Sky Sports: "This European Championship will be very difficult, because we are the team to beat for all our rivals.

Important

"It will not be easy to repeat our title win, but this is the challenge.

"A comfortable group does not exist. We start the Euros against Italy and this is a match with much importance.

"We our obliged to win and play with less pressure in the following matches."

If Spain progress from Group C, they could face England in the quarter-finals, providing Roy Hodgson's men also qualify.

Injury-hit England, who will be missing the suspended Wayne Rooney for their first two matches, have been widely written off before the tournament.

Torres importance

But Mata thinks the country where he plays his club football could still be a danger in Poland and Ukraine.

He said: "England will always be on the list of candidates for the title due to their history and the level of their players."

If Spain are to succeed at Euro 2012, a lot could depend on the state of mind and body of Mata's Chelsea club-mate, Fernando Torres.

With David Villa injured, Spain are without their star striker and will be relying on another source of goals.

Torres has had a tough season with Chelsea, with his form and self-belief being questioned, and the campaign ended with him missing out on a first XI place in the Champions League final.

But Mata said: "I never lost confidence in Fernando Torres being in the Euros squad.

"Fernando is in an excellent moment and I think he will be a key for Spain."