Spain weigh options
Ryland James
GDANSK, Poland: Having played a 4-3-3 formation against Italy with Barcelona midfielder Cesc Fabregas up front, Spanish coach Vicente Del Bosque (in pic) must decide whether to give striker Fernando Torres another chance after he impressed from the bench against Italy.“I am not happy about everything that happened against Italy — there are things we must improve,” said del Bosque.
“But I am not unhappy with the options we have, we had four options — the three everyone was aware of (strikers Alvaro Negredo, Fernando Torres or Fernando Llorente) and then that of Cesc.Del Bosque said if it came to it he would do without a classic centre forward again.
“The only thing that interests us is what is in the interest of the team. The opinions of others surely have interests distinct from our own.”With Barcelona hitman and record scorer David Villa injured, it was Fabregas who scored the winner against Italy, but Spain noticeably raised their game when Torres came on for the final 17 minutes.
There are chinks in the Spanish armour for Ireland to exploit as the centre-backs Gerard Pique and Sergio Ramos looked out of sorts on occasion with experienced icon Carles Puyol missing Euro 2012 through injury.But the Irish can ill afford to concede after only three minutes, as they did against Croatia, with Spain eager for goals to ignite their campaign.
Spanish midfielder Sergi Busquets has said the world champions must show some patience with Trapatonni expected to set out a defensive strategy.“If the Irish choose to stay bunched in front of their goal then the key for us will be patience,” said Busquets.“But clearly we are not going to change our style one little bit,” he added.
About the Author (Author Profile)
Subscribe
If you enjoyed this article, subscribe to receive more just like it.
Loading ...
Exchange Rate
