Vicente Del Bosque announces squad for international friendly
Spanish Coach Vicente Del Bosque has recalled Xavi, Pedro, Fernando Torres and Cesc Fabregas to the national side ahead of next week’s friendly against Portugal. Del Bosque did not have the leverage of having these players during the last international break, due to injury issues. However, all these players are available and playing in their best form at the moment.
Del Bosque described the match against Portugal as a ‘friendly match between two brothers’. However, it seems that he does not want to take any unnecessary risks by playing new players in his settled line-up. Since Euro 2008 and following this year’s World Cup in South Africa, Spain has a reputation to protect. They are the best team in the world, and they need to be on top of their game in every single game. Already, Spain suffered a humiliating result against Argentina, in a friendly this season. The manager is not ready to face any similar humiliation against Spain’s Iberian rivals.
These four superstars were unavailable for the Spain’s Euro 2012 qualifying matches against Lithuania and Scotland last month. Therefore, Del Bosque included Valencia’s Aritz Aduriz and Pablo Hernandez in the squad, alongside Villarreal’s Borja Valero and Bruno Soriano. These players will not be involved in the game against Portugal.
This call-up has also silenced a lot of rumours regarding Xavi’s future. As the midfielder faced problems with his Achilles tendons, rumours were circulating that he might retire from international football. Xavi was finding it hard to cope with the amount of football he had been playing for Barcelona and Spain. However, Vicente Del Bosque has brushed aside any such suggestions, declaring them as rubbish.
Fernando Torres returns to the side after an incredible recent run of form. The striker scored a brace against Chelsea and grabbed the only goal against Wolves as well. Therefore, it is quite likely that Pedro may be used as a substitute, since Torres will retain his slot in Del Bosque’s starting XI.
Once again, Barcelona is the club that would suffer the most from this international call-up. Eight players from Barcelona have been included in the team, as Andres Iniesta, Carlos Puyol, Gerard Pique, Victor Valdes, Sergio Busquets and David Villa will all be in action against Portugal. This might troublesome for Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola, who is going to face his archrivals Real Madrid in two weeks time.
Despite missing some quality players, Spain has done well in the Euro 2012 qualifiers. They have won all three of their opening matches, and are sitting comfortably on top of their group with a positive goal difference of seven. However, the three goals scored against them have all come during the last two matches, i.e. against Lithuania and Scotland. So, it is always very important to have these players in the squad, because they provide an extra edge to the team.
Portugal, on the other hand, is having a difficult time in their group for Euro 2012 qualifiers. They are sitting in second place, two points behind leaders Norway, who also have a match in hand. Denmark is in third place, just a point adrift of Portugal, with a match in hand as well. Therefore, the match against Spain is an uphill task for the Portuguese side.
The match will be played in midweek. Although, the match carries no vital importance, however both sides would do their best to win. Vicente Del Bosque would love to see his returning stars on the score-sheet, as it would boost his team’s confidence for the rest of qualification campaign.
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