Pro Eleven Headline News

Del Bosque Admits Iniesta’s Absence Disrupts Spain Game Plan

Spain have been by and large invincible over the past year or so but coach Vicente del Bosque may have inadvertently exposed a sign of weakness in the form of Andres Iniesta’s absence.

The Barcelona midfield sensation is currently sidelined with a thigh muscle injury and will be unavailable for La Seleccion’s back-to-back World Cup qualifiers with Turkey over the next week.

And Del Bosque was not afraid to admit that the Blaugrana’s omission is a big blow for the team.

“Iniesta’s injury will turn our plans upside down,” he told Onda Cero and Radio Marca.

“We cannot forget that he is a player who helps out in defence, he creates the play, he can open the field, and he can decide a game with a single move.

“The game against Turkey will be complicated but we are confident in taking the game. Luckily, all the players are committed to the Seleccion and they like playing for Spain.”

Del Bosque was then forced to defend the decision to make Iniesta join up with the squad despite the injury.

“We have followed the protocol of the Spanish Football Federation,” he explained. “It is normal that there are injuries because nowadays, there are games practically every three days. But joining up with the [national team] camp is good because it also helps players recover.”

Finally, the Salamanca-born coach played down the idea that La Furia Roja are unbeatable and he even braced both players and fans alike to be ready for defeat when it eventually comes.

He said, “After wining Euro 2008, the players have created a very good atmosphere in the squad and there’s also a very good rapport with the fans, and that is important for the team. But it is necessary to remember that Spain are not unbeatable.

“The players that we have and the good football that we are playing have united Spain. When we lose, it is going to be painful but we must be gracious as sportsmen because that is football.

“Only then will we be able to rise again and think about the following game.”

Spain will host Turkey this Saturday at 22:00 CET at Madrid’s Santiago Bernabeu at the back of a 29-game unbeaten streak. Goal


Real Madrid's Van Der Vaart Considering Chelsea Switch

Since Juande Ramos has taken over at the Bernabeu, a starting berth has become something of a rarity for Real Madrid's Rafael van der Vaart.

In light of this, the Dutchman has been quoted as saying a move might well be on the cards, seeing as his absence from regular club football has affected his international status.

Whilst considering his options, van der Vaart spoke to Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf after some talk of interest from Chelsea's new boss, and fellow Dutchman, Guus Hiddink.

"It’s flattering when someone like Guus Hiddink is interested as he is one of the best," said the midfielder.

The Blues had hoped to sign Los Blancos' current No. 23 last summer, but van der Vaart followed his countrymen Royston Drenthe, Arjen Robben, and Wesley Sneijder to Madrid. It appears now that the interest has been rekindled.

Having only started 10 games this season for Real Madrid, the 26-year-old is clearly frustrated with his current predicament.

"Clearly the coach has no confidence in me," he added.

Bert van Marwijk, the current Holland boss, has made it clear to van der Vaart that he must be playing regular club football in order to be considered for his country.

"The coach has made it clear to me that I must be playing club football to play for the national team."

"If my World Cup selection is threatened I must think about a transfer." Goal