Del Bosque on Torres: "We can't always be looking to the past"

During the launch of the latest edition of the football campus which bears his name,  Vicente del Bosque was the first to admit that his squad list for next month's Euro 2016 is far from perfect but he is confident that he has selected the best players available to him for the tournament.

"The list isn't perfect, I'm sure that there are players who deserve to be included for the great season they've had but I'd like to make it clear that I have to leave compassion to one side when I draw up the list. The squad is designed to include the best and I'm confident that is the case this time. Now we have to prepare ourselves in the best possible way", the Spain coach said.

Del Bosque added that "it's the easiest thing in the world to criticize" but explained why his squad will included younger, less experienced players - a group of 11 players who will train with the senior squad before they fly out to France.

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"There are 11 or 12 who weren't at the Brazil World Cup, which is positive for the rennovation of the team. What we are trying to do is adapt with an eye on the future. Spain are not obliged to finsih as champions but we can dream of it".

As for the exclusion of Fernando Torres, Del Bosque explained that it's almost certain that its the end of an era as far as the national side is concerned for El Niño:  "It's good for him that the Champions League final takes priority over the Euros. I am sure that he has great memories of all of the trophies he has won with the national team. His participation has been fantastic and we hold him in very high esteem".

As for the surprise inclusion of Lucas Vázquez, he hailed the Real Madrid winger's qualities which he feels will give Spain something extra in attack: "He's got pace, and he can get past players. hE can give us penetration and will allow us to come out on top in one-on-one battles".