Xavi ‘will not be forced to play’, says Del Bosque
Spain coach Vicente Del Bosque on Monday said that Xavi Hernandez will only play against France in Tuesday’s World Cup qualifier if he feels ready to do so.
The Barcelona midfielder, such an important element of the European and world champions’ side, missed last Friday’s 1-1 draw with Finland in Gijon because of a hamstring problem.
His fragile fitness has been a constant source of concern for both club and country in recent times, and while Del Bosque is confident the 33-year-old will be able to feature, he insisted that no chances will be taken.
“Nobody will be forced to play. If Xavi plays, he will do so because he and the doctors say he is ready to do so,” said the Spain coach at a press conference in Paris.
“We have one more training session and it will be up to our medical team and Barcelona’s medical team to decide whether he can play.
“He looks in good shape, but we have 21 players. They are not all of quite the same level, but it does mean we have plenty of options.”
Tuesday’s match at the Stade de France is a must-win for Spain, who trail France in Group I of European qualifying for next year’s World Cup by two points.
After drawing their last two games, another slip-up would leave the holders staring at the prospect of a two-legged play-off to qualify for Brazil.
Read more :
- Teenager Stephens realizes last eight is “pretty cool”
MELBOURNE - Sloane Stephens had a "pretty cool" realization after she beat Bojana Jovanovski on Monday, she's going to become a member of the Australian Open's "last eight club".
The club ... - Venus Williams plans comeback
Venus Williams has revealed that she hopes to play a full schedule next year following a serious illness.
The former world number one pulled out of this year's US Open with an autoimmune d... - Blue Monday and home loss fails to dampen spirits in Toronto
TORONTO - It may have been Blue Monday, the day identified as the most depressing of the year, but in hockey-mad Toronto it was party-time as the Maple Leafs played their first home game si... - Marbury arrives in Manila
Former NBA star guard Stephon Marbury arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport on Monday at 2:20 p.m. aboard Malaysia Airlines.
Marbury, who now plays for the Beijing Ducks in the... - Rafael Nadal pleased after ‘difficult’ Barcelona Open win
Rafael Nadal has praised opponent David Ferrer following the world number two's Barcelona Open title win.
The 25-year-old edged out his fellow Spaniard 7-6 7-5 to clinch his seventh title ... - France’s Simon a wreck after Monfils marathon
MELBOURNE - Gilles Simon is going to give it his best shot but accepts that he will probably not beat Andy Murray at the Australian Open on Monday after wrecking his body in a four-hour, 43... - Jordi Alba out as Spain face France in a must-win tie
The prospect of the reigning world champions missing next year's World Cup finals in Brazil will become a very real one if stumbling Spain suffer another slip-up in France on Tuesday evenin... - Froome likely to lead Sky on Tour de France: Wiggins
PARIS - Tour de France champion Bradley Wiggins has hinted that fellow Briton Chris Froome is likely to replace him as Team Sky leader for this year's race, which is expected to favor the p...