Del Bosque reverts to the classics and reinstates Piqué

Spain will field a side featuring eleven players from the World Cup, with an average of 61 caps, to face Slovakia in Zilina. Del Bosque keeps going back to the classic players, and still sees the break-up and revolution of this side unecessary. Proof is in tonight’s qualifier, quite possibly the most demanding game in a qualifying group that poses very few real challenges. Slovakia are an improving side with players that ply their trade in England, Germany, Italy and Russia.

The door has been re-opened for Piqué, who last pulled on the Spain jersey during the beginning-of-the-end game against Holland in Brazil. That was the last we saw of him in that tournament as his commitment was called into question, which was added to his performances in the first two games of this league campaign, this time citing a hip injury as the cause. Albiol will line up beside him after Sergio Ramos’s withdrawal, with both being flanked by Juanfran and Jordi Alba. Casillas has also been given the nod in goal after his convincing display against Macedonia and the gradual reconciliation with the Madrid faithful. Del Bosque is set to stick with Diego Costa leading the frontline, despite failing to get off the mark with the national side after five attempts – mystifying after scoring for fun (not going more than four games without a goal) for Atlético last season and his rich vein of goalscoring form (scoring in six games on the trot) this time around in the Premier League. He will also be in fine company, lining up in front of Koke, Cesc, Iniesta and Silva.

Kozak. Slovakia will field eight players from the World Cup in South Africa, their only major competition (in which they knocked out Italy). Since 2013 they have been coached by Jan Kozak. The Slovakia coach was a Czech international from 1976 to 1984, a time in which he came up against Del Bosque in two friendlies, winnng one and drawing the other. He has only lost once in the last seven games, against Russia.

from Últimas noticias | Diario AS http://ift.tt/1vRskD3

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