Vicente del Bosque saw value in Spain’s friendly win over Uruguay both on and off the pitch in preparing for upcoming World Cup qualifiers.
La Roja warmed up for forthcoming games against Finland and France with a 3-1 victory over Uruguay on Wednesday evening.
“It has been two and a half months since we last played a game together,” reflected Del Bosque afterwards.
“We have six weeks left until we play against Finland and it was necessary to have this face-to-face contact to prepare for those games against Finland and France. Beyond the sporting context, the contact between the players was important.
“We need to remember what awaits us in March. We are preparing from now for two very difficult fixtures. If the relationships within the squad are clean and healthy then we are closer to success. In the national squad the behaviour of all the players is correct.”
The fixture in Doha, Qatar, was ultimately decided in the second half by two well-taken goals from Pedro Rodriguez
“He’s a dynamic player, he is clear on what he needs to do and he has a top speed that is needed in our football at this time.
“We had moments of good football, in the first half we lacked some depth, but Pedro has provided that speed.
“I think we had moments of good football, but they were well armed, defensively, and it was not easy to get through.
“We were aware of their counter-attack, with their strikers we had to be careful. We were threatened with danger.
“We will have to suffer in the next two World Cup qualifiers, whilst they [Uruguay] too are not clear and must overtake Venezuela in the South American standings. We’ll both have games of much difficulty and importance.”
La Roja will face Uruguay again in the summer, at the 2013 Confederations Cup in Brazil.
“They are a tough opponent, that closes down well and has very complicated strikers to face. We have been together for a while, with a fairly stable workforce and the important thing is that we incorporate new players and not lose that competitive spirit, whether in a friendly or an official game.
“We know that we have to compete, but we come from a very strong League. Finding space in the squad is important, and they know it.”
