Del Bosque: “Players can’t pull the wool over my eyes”

“It’s our business to deal with sportsmen and having a sense of trust is foremost. Nobody can kid us, if anything, they may kid themselves but I don’t think that’s the case,” Vicente del Bosque told reporters in Friday’s press conference with clear reference to Cesc Fàbregas and Diego Costa – both of whom are ruled out for Spain’s meetings with Belarus and Germany.

The player’s commitment to the national team: “It’s been a normal week for us. I don’t really know how to answer that question. The players’ attitude and behaviour during these past few days has been extraordinary. We understand the criticism but our business is dealing with sportsmen and having a sense of trust is absolutely vital. Nobody can kid us, if anything, they may kid themselves but I don’t think that’s the case. Sergio himself has had to leave us once before because he was injured and we’ve left him out on occasion too when he hasn’t been fully fit. I trust their word. We have managed this Spain squad well for the past six years – and in the same way as all personal relationships should be treated”.

Busquets arrived with a few niggles but he is totally committed: “He’s training well and his commitment is exactly the same as everyone else’s. Piqué and Cesc have been internationals with Spain since they were 21 and 17 respectively – they have 70-odd and 90-odd caps each, they have been world and European champions and I have complete faith in them because they have been heroes for the Spanish public. They have given us so much and I don’t doubt them for a minute. Diego Costa’s case is different. Groin injuries can be very incapacitating for some players. [Costa] has lowered the pace of his own training programme with his club and we decided not to call him up this time and for that reason, there was no need to bring him over to Madrid. If we start doubting players’ commitment, we’ll be heading down the wrong road. Diego was born in Brazil but elected to play for Spain and gained Spanish citizenship to be able to do so – he has even played while injured for us”.

The Belarus game: “They’re a rival who we respect. They have enough resources to make the game very difficult for us. We hope we will have great support from our fans – who gave us a fantastic welcome here. We are prepared to take three vital points off a side who, three months’ ago, we struggled to beat in Palma. We’re expected them to be tight at the back, in good physical shape and who will try to hit us on the break”.

Spain’s youthful attack: “We’ve got wing players and young players in the middle but they’re all players who are used to competing at this level”.

Few changes at the back: “We’ve got absentees in every line of the team but more in attack. I’ve brought those who I felt I needed to bring”.

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

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