Vicente Del Bosque has given an insight into the Spain line-up for today’s World Cup game against Australia.
It will be La Roja’s final match of the tournament as the holders bow out at the group stage and Mundo Deportivo reports the Coach’s Press conference revelations.
Xavi Hernandez is expected to sit the game out, while Barcelona teammate Andres Iniesta will win his 100th cap and Pepe Reina will replace Iker Casillas in goal.
“Xavi was the player who ran the most yards against the Netherlands, of everyone who played,” Del Bosque said.
“When we assess the causes of defeat, everyone wants there to be a revolution. It’s only the young players who are saved and veterans are banned. I think we have to look at that.
“Whoever doesn’t want to recognise Xavi for wearing the shirt needs to go to bed.
“He won’t play against Australia. He has trained well but he has a sore leg and probably won’t play.
“Reina probably will play and we pay attention to details like the 100th for Iniesta so it’s likely he will play.”
Del Bosque was asked what it was like to Coach a side that falls at the group stage of the World Cup, and replied it’s just another chapter in his long career.
“This is one more experience. For someone who has lived through it it’s an extraordinary experience,” he replied.
“It has been distasteful, not meeting expectations. Being together though has been fantastic.
“The defeats are bad for the people but the performance has been good in general.”
The Coach was also questioned as to his future and insisted he was only thinking of the game against the Socceroos.
“We’ll talk about the future when it’s appropriate. Now the only future that matters is Australia,” Del Bosque added.
“We can’t focus on one thing [to explain why Spain failed]. It may have been physical, tactical, everything has been a mixture that prevented us giving our best.”
