RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) – Spain coach Vicente del Bosque promised yesterday to change his line-up for the team’s must-win Group B match against Chile as the World Cup holders look to stay in the tournament.
Forwards Pedro Rodriguez and Cesc Fabregas are widely seen as the most likely candidates to start today after the 5-1 thrashing by the Netherlands in their opening match, though Del Bosque was not giving away any names.
“There will be changes, but few,” Del Bosque said at the Maracana stadium.
While Pedro would probably replace David Silva, Fabregas could slot in for Diego Costa if Del Bosque decides to leave the physical striker on the bench in place of a ‘false striker’ attack.
Defensive player Javi Martinez is meanwhile a candidate to slot in for Gerard Pique, while fullbacks Cesar Azpilicueta and Jordi Alba are under scrutiny.
Spain were looking forward to the match finally getting underway after four long days since Friday’s humiliating defeat by the Netherlands, the losing finalists in 2010.
“Anxiousness can also allow you to play better. The worst thing would be indifference. It’s good to be a little anxious, but always in measured doses,” Del Bosque said.
Spain were grappling with a psychological blow unlike any other they had experienced, according to Del Bosque, during their incredible run of winning two European Championships, either side of the last World Cup.
The opening loss in Salvador was their worst competitive defeat since a 6-1 loss to Brazil at the 1950 World Cup.
“We can’t blame anyone, we lost the game. We just have to look forward. In life, there are solutions for everything,” Del Bosque said. “It’s still in our hands.”
Spain finish Group B play against Australia, which lost 3-1 to Chile. Spain would remain alive with a draw against Chile, although it would complicate things for the defending champions.
Andres Iniesta looks set to stay in a line-up that has to retain Spain’s attractive style of football – but must also be more efficient.
Against the Netherlands, Spain’s normally slick passing game stuttered, while the possession they thrive off of was disrupted by a stronger, steadier opponent in Salvador.
Having conceded five goals in open play, Spain know they must adapt to the situation.
“We have to win by whatever means necessary,” Iniesta said yesterday.
“I feel that we are prepared to win. We had a tough start and that makes it hard for it to feel normal around us as we usually feel, like it was before the first game. I feel like what happened (Friday) is in the past. We had the same situation in the last World Cup, but this time is different.”
In 2010, Spain lost their opener against Switzerland but went on to win the final two group games, including one against Chile.
Iniesta, who scored Spain’s winner in their 1-0 victory over the Dutch in the 2010 final at Soccer City, believes that similar success in this group stage is just around the corner.
“We’re full of confidence that we can do it, that we have the team to do it,” Iniesta said.
