World NewsAragones Denies Rift With Torres |
SPAIN coach Luis Aragones has dismissed speculation his decision to substitute Fernando Torres during the 4-1 Euro 2008 victory against Russia has caused a rift with his star striker.
Aragones chose to withdraw the Liverpool frontman after just 54 minutes yesterday, replacing him with midfielder Cesc Fabregas, with his team already holding a 2-0 advantage.The 69-year-old coach later explained his reason for substituting Torres was a tactical one as he sought to add "one more player in the midfield to try to keep a clean sheet".
Torres, however, was clearly bemused by the decision as he left the pitch, opting not to acknowledge Aragones' outstretched arm as he passed the coach.
Despite that show of petulance, Aragones said there was no ill-felling between himself and the player with the pair resolving the matter in the dressing-room after the game.
"I understand why the player is angry and I am behind him, but it is important to correct these things afterwards," Aragones told Spanish newspaper Marca.
"They are things which stay in the dressing-room...(but) things won't stay like that, we won't let things like that fester."
Torres was instrumental in Spain's opening goal of the night when he unselfishly laid off a pass to strike partner David Villa to tap home into an unguarded net.
That would be the first goal of a hat-trick for Villa whose impressive display stole the limelight from Torres, who was expected to spearhead the Spanish attack.
After scoring his third goal of the night, Villa raced to the bench where he embraced the already-substituted Torres and Aragones said that gesture was reflective of the "cohesion" in the team.
"I understand that a player gets angry when he is substituted, it has happened to me, but the atmosphere in the team is extraordinary," Aragones said.
Aragones also took time to praise Torres for his contribution while he was on the pitch, highlighting his defensive work to limit the contribution of Russia's attack-minded full-back Roman Shirokov.
"Torres also contributed and worked up front to block Shirokov and he did it perfectly," Aragones said.
"The goals are a product of Villa, but the first (goal) was given to him by Torres."
Former Spain coach Jose Antonio Camacho was also glowing in his praise for Torres, pointing the striker's assist for the first goal as evidence of his importance to the team.
"Torres' generosity in the first goal was admirable," he told TV4.
"When you are a striker, it's not easy to see a team-mate when you are bearing down on the goalkeeper, but he had the presence of mind to give the ball to Villa. That was a great gesture."
Camacho, who led Spain to the quarter-finals of Euro 2000, was delighted with the performance of Aragones' side.
"It was a great start," he said. "They have demonstrated that they are here at the European Championship with an attacking football, with a passing game and creating plenty of chances.
"(Carles) Puyol, (Marcos) Senna and Villa stood out in a team at a very high level," he added.
Camacho also praised Barcelona'sAndres Iniesta.
"Iniesta can do everything with the ball at his feet," he said.
"Only players with something different in their head and in their feet are capable of passes like the one for the second goal."
Copyright (c) 2009 Press Association
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