Del Bosque: We’ll be patient

Vicente del Bosque says that Spain have been studying their last meeting with Finland and will be aware they will have to be patient this Friday.

On from being held to a surprise 1-1 draw in Gijon in March, La Roja are in Helsinki this week to continue 2014 World Cup qualifying.

“We have already decided who will be the goalkeeper, but we will communicate that tomorrow,” teased Del Bosque at today’s conference, as further questions surrounding the position between the sticks were asked.

“We have been reviewing the match played in Gijon [against Finland]. They retreated a lot but played out with some quick transitions.

“We expect a similar game to that, we will have to be patient, but also have energy to compete with a team that is going to make it difficult for us.

“The absences that we have? The basis of our side was based on Busquets and Alonso, who are not here, but we do have others.

“Our remaining qualifiers? I think that we have to win all three games that we have left. Our rivals will make things difficult until the end, we have already had difficulty with Finland and with Georgia.

“These are games that we have to consider difficult because today, in any way a game is set up it can cause you problems.”

Del Bosque notably called up Nacho Fernandez as a late replacement for the injured Inigo Martinez.

“It would be foolhardy to say that there are no other alternatives. It is true that there are many foreigners in Spain in that position.

“But we have chosen him because he is very versatile, he can play at full-back or in the centre, he is young, aggressive, pretty sure on the ball and that is why we have decided on him.”

The 62-year-old was asked for a soundbite on Madrid’s bid to host the 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games – a decision is due to be announced this Saturday.

“As athletes and Spaniards, we support Madrid 2020. It would be a huge boost, not only for the city but for the whole country.”

Tags Casillas Del Bosque Finland Nacho Spain Valdes
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