Luis Aragones named the following players for the upcoming friendly on 6 February against France in Malaga. I have highlited the new players named to the team. Porteros: Casillas y Reina. Defensas: Sergio Ramos, Capdevilla, Albiol, Marchena, Fernando Navarro, Arbeloa, Juanito, Pablo. Medios: Albelda, Xabi Alonso, Riera, Xavi, Iniesta, Cesc. Delanteros: Silva, Villa, Luis García, Torres, Güiza y Bojan. Aupa Espana y Viva Er Beti Manque Lopera! Er Pichi
I just don't know what to say about Aragones anymore! It just baffles me. They better be playing straight down the center of the pitch with Silva out with injury and Joaquin out of the seleccion.
No but you can see the Italy-Portugal friendly live at 1440 hrs EST on Wednesday. Aupa Espana y Viva Er Beti Manque Lopera! Er Pichi
I really want to see this game. I want to see Gael Clichy play his first game for the French NT and see some of my Barca boys.
Silva has withdrawn with injury and Ramos and Krkic are in doubt. Looking at that defenders I can't help but get a chill running down my spine, maybe Luis should play Ramos at CB because I don't feel we are very secure with anyone else at the back particularly Marchena+Albiol which has been a disaster for Los Che this term. None of the CB's in this squad have had a good season at all, I would of liked to have seen a player like Torrejon who is actually playing well this get a callup. In midfield I am very concerned with the lack of width especially with Silva out, for the life of me I can't understand why Joaquin wasn't called up or even Vicente, unless Riera starts which is highly unlikely I guess we will see the old 4-3-3. Forwards are the usual suspects, Torres has been on fire this season hope he can finally start doing the same with the NT, also looking forward to Bojan getting some minutes their is no denying the kid is quality.
Here is the projected lineup for tonites match, Luis will announce the final lineup right before KO. Casillas, Sergio Ramos, Albiol, Marchena o Pablo, Fernando Navarro; Albelda o Xavi Alonso, Xavi, Iniesta, Cesc; Riera o Villa y Torres.
Casillas, Sergio Ramos, Capdevila, Marchena, Albiol, Albelda, Riera, Cesc, Xavi, Iniesta y Fernando Torres is who finally started. Bojan is ill and will not play tonite although he is sitting on the bench with the rest of the team. Torres left in 23rd minute due to leg injury Guiza replaced him. 44th minute 0-0
Crap first half, nothing really on display for either teams but France probably had the best of it. At least Aragones has decided to get rid of this idiotic 5 man midfield bringing on Villa for Riera.
Iniesta saved a goal on the goal line, not much going on and it's late so I'm gonna call it a night, Spain should to! Aupa Espana, Luis Retirate Ya y Viva Er Beti Manque Lopera! Er Pichi
It's early here and I can't believe I got up for this, switching over to England vs Switzerland looks a much more exciting game than this.
It may be a win but boy was it ugly, not the usual Spain with passes continually missing the targets, very little chances in the final third etc. I understand Aragones wants to install a grit and determination the side has historically never had but it sure has lead to some awful performances. Although it's a victory I really don't feel that hapy about it France were very unlucky not to score and a draw probably would of been a fair result. Next game is against Italy who just demolished Portugal 3-1 that should be a real test to see how this team is doing.
Quite a boring game but congratulations for that victory What's the use of whistling and booing the French national anthem exactly ?
I was listening to the match on the radio and when the announcers said they were playing the French National Anthem you could clearly hear the whistling. I know that many Spaniards share a dislike of the French but any one with class and sense of civics knows you don't boo during the playing of another country's national anthem. You boo the players when they are announced and during the game. I guess that there must have been a lot of fans with no class at the Rosaleda stadium last night! Aupa Espana y Viva Er Beti Manque Lopera! Er Pichi
Anyone have a torrent link to this game in either spanish or english? All I could find was one in french. ;/