Spain’s Soldado is axed, as injured Villa is lamented
STRIKER Roberto Soldado was left out of Spain’s squad for Euro 2012 yesterday, despite his scoring exploits this year, as coach Vicente del Bosque lamented the absence of the “irreplaceable” David Villa.
There were no big surprises as Del Bosque discarded the younger players who have been part of the world and European champions’ provisional squad at a training camp in the Austrian Alps.
Instead, he included 19 of the players who went to SA and won the World Cup two years ago in his 23-man squad.
Two of the absentees, Carlos Puyol and Villa, had already been ruled out through injury.
Striker Fernando Torres was among those who retained their places despite his generally unimpressive season with Chelsea, salvaged mainly by his individual goal in the Champions League semifinal away to Barcelona.
Atletico Madrid forward Adrian Lopez was overlooked despite scoring on his debut in the 2-0 win over Serbia on Saturday.
Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea also failed to make the cut despite his inclusion in a provisional squad that has been training in Austria.
Soldado scored 17 La Liga goals for Valencia this season, 18 the previous season and hit a hat trick in a friendly against Venezuela in his first international outing for nearly five years. But Sevilla’s Alvaro Negredo, who has five goals in seven internationals, was chosen ahead of him.
In the course of four years, we have changed 50% of the outfield players. We changed seven before SA and three now
None of those called up, however, could make up for Villa’s absence, Del Bosque said.
“Villa is irreplaceable with his characteristics and effectiveness, nobody has done better than him,” said Del Bosque, whose side won all eight qualifiers.
“We have to look for solutions and we have plenty of them. I have to say, because of all the time he has been with us, that Villa is irreplaceable. Negredo and Soldado are extraordinary players, but different. One is quicker but the other brings more to the team as a whole.”
Del Bosque gave debuts to five players against Serbia on Saturday but of those, only defender Juanfran made the final cut.
“It’s a list we have thought about intensely, we have looked at what’s best for us, with respect, and without taking away the merits of those who have been with us and will stay in mind for the future,” said Del Bosque.
“There is no special case,” he said of the players who missed out. “They may feel upset but they must be good sportsmen. In September we will make more call-ups so they have to be ready for that.”
Spain have had a somewhat awkward preparation for the defence of their European title after the federation decided to stage the King’s Cup final last Friday, adding an extra two weeks to the domestic season.
Del Bosque was therefore forced to do without players from finalists Barcelona and Athletic Bilbao as he named a provisional squad to take to Schruns.
The coach praised young players such as Adrian Lopez, Benat and Ignacio Monreal, but said it was not the time for sweeping changes. “In the course of four years, we have changed 50% of the outfield players,” he said.
“We changed seven before SA and another three now. We have renovated … because we think it’s a good thing. In football, you need to bring in new blood, but not make changes for the sake of it.”
Spain face Ireland, Croatia and Italy in their first round. Reuters