Del Bosque could rest David Villa for Turkey match

StridorRider

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posted on 15 years ago — updated on 1 second ago

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Spain are expected to make numerous changes for match in Istanbul.

New Delhi: The Seleccion coach has given a strong hint that ‘El Guaje’ could be dropped from the starting XI this Wednesday.

After grinding out a hard-fought 1-0 win over Turkey at the weekend in Madrid in the World Cup qualifiers, Spain are expected to make numerous changes for the second meeting this Wednesday in Istanbul.

Coach Vicente del Bosque hinted throughout Monday’s training session that several modifications would be made to the starting XI and one of them will be to drop Valencia striker David Villa.

"Villa’s place [in the team] is still undecided. He is a lad who guarantees goals but the other day, we had doubts about his fitness," he said in an interview with Radio Marca programme La Futboleria.

"He is an important player for us, but we do not want to harm Valencia either. We are not dissatisfied with anybody, but we must have a fresh team for Wednesday," he said.

The Salamanca-born trainer then gave an in-depth analysis of the 1-0 win over the Turks last Saturday.

"We were up against a very complicated rival in the first half. In the second, we were better. But defensively speaking, we did not have too many problems other than the first two attacks they had," he admitted.

"They held us well in midfield. We were playing too many short passes and that made it easier for them to pressure us. They closed us down with players like Nihat and Semih Senturk, players who can virtually play as midfielders. They pressed us and we were unable to solve the problem. But when you’re on the bench and you see that things are not working out, the important thing is not to disrupt the team. It is necessary to make changes, but you can’t turn the team inside out," he added.

Finally, Del Bosque was asked to comment on his relationship with former La Seleccion coach Luis Aragones, who had said yesterday that there are no problems between the pair.

"Luis has said that and the truth is, he is right. I do not have anything against him and I would hope that he has nothing against me, too," he said.

Spain have a 100 per cent record in the World Cup qualifiers after five rounds as they lead Group 5 with a six-point advantage over second place Bosnia-Herzegovina, but Del Bosque and his charges are expected to face their toughest test yet against Turkey at the Ali Sami Yen Stadi.