Euro 2012: Del Bosque happy with conundrum over Spanish line-up

Published on 23/06/2012 12:00

Spain manager Vicente Del Bosque maintains it would be “bad” if he did not have any doubts over just what side to pick for tonight’s Euro 2012 quarter-final against France in Donetsk.

Del Bosque accepts that the strength of his squad will mean there is always debate over who should start.

The world champions were hardly convincing as they eked out a 1-0 victory over Croatia to win Group C with seven points from their three games, having opened with a draw against Italy.

The former Real Madrid boss – who again played without a natural striker once Fernando Torres had been withdrawn with half an hour remaining – indicated no firm decision had been made on how to line up against Les Bleus.

“We are modest, but still optimistic,” he said. “France are difficult opponents and also we have some doubts about the starting line-up, but that is a healthy thing. And Del Bosque continued: “I haven’t decided on my team yet. We have great players who can play up front.”

France were the last side to eliminate Spain from a major tournament, knocking them out of the 2006 World Cup in Germany and head coach Laurent Blanc insists there is “no conflict” in his squad despite a dressing-room row among players which followed Tuesday’s defeat by Sweden.