DEL BOSQUE
"It's the first we've heard about playing behind closed doors"
Del Bosque also spoke about Aduriz, but refused to disclose whether the Athletic striker is in his plans for EURO 2016. "You can't ignore the evidence".
Spain coach Vicente del Bosque admits that he has taken note of Athletic Club striker Aritz Aduriz's startling form but was tight-lipped about whether the Basque marksman could feature in the side he will take to EURO 2016. Del Bosque also said the Federation has received no information whatsoever about the possibility that some games at the summer tournament could be played behind closed doors.
EURO 2016. “We have five friendlies to prepare and take one last look at ours teams - let's hope that a Spanish team can make the Champions League and Europa League finals; we'll also be monitoring each player to make sure there are no problems when it comes to drawing up the list”
The chosen few. “The core of the squad is more or less there although there is competition for certain positions and decision will have to be made. The players who do well in this final stag of the season will have options to be with us in France.We designed a plan for the future of Spain's national team following on from what happened in Brazil, and two years on from that, we have to see where we stand now. As always, we'll take the players who feel are the best”.
Aduriz. “Of course the door isn't closed. When we put together a plan two years ago, our thoughts were more on Morata and Alcácer than Aduriz. It was a logical decision: Who is it better to call in terms of the future - Morata or Alcacer? But we haven't ignored what he's doing, the evidence is there but we will wait until we make the first list this month and then the definitive one We'll take it one step at a time, with calm”.
Saúl. “He's no stranger to us. He was in the provisional list for the World Cup and we have him in mind but there's a lot of competition. Cesc is playing superbly with Chelsea, Silva and Iniesta are both playing well… But we're not going to go crazy and rule him out”.
Cazorla. “I doubt he'll be with us in March because he's had an Achilles problem”.
Secutiry at EURO 2016. “I've only seen what I've read in the papers. We didn't discuss it in the meetings we've had with UEFA. No one has said anything to us about playing behind closed doors. Whatever is printed in the papers, I don't think there's any cause for alarm”.