Marquis Vicente del Bosque is one of those men who almost always has a twinkle in his eye. Often amused by life, he likes sharing a joke and prefers to deflect stress by not taking life too, too seriously.
It was for that reason, the fact that he was smiling and relaxed, during our first interview this tournament that I decided to finish with the question: ''You enjoy all this, don't you?''
His answer was to the point. ''I enjoy it much less than could be the case because firstly there's the responsibility of defending our title and doing so with style, and secondly there's the biggest problem for a coach – 23 players. I've got guys here who not only don't sit on the bench for their clubs ... they don't even know where the bench is!''
He went on to name players it hurt him not to be able to pick more regularly as starters, which is how I came to be able to tell Javi Martínez, accurately it turns out, that I thought he'd come on against Ireland.
Beyond the three points and four goals which garnered all the headlines against the Republicof Ireland last night, Del Bosque will be satisfied that the aim to supersede Croatia's 3-1 result against the Irish was realised. The coach will also be extremely satisfied that Spain played so well and that he was able to successfully use three substitutes.
Martínez and Santi Cazorla came on and added nice touches to the display, both profile as being potentially important. Cazorla was a terrific impact sub four years ago and adds genuine pace. The Athletic Club man can play in three or four positions and now that Xabi Alonso has one booking Martínez, himself cautioned, may have to fill in one day.
Cesc Fàbregas? Two games, two goals and patently in terrific form. Del Bosque knows that it will be a well-used squad which wins this tournament, not 11 stars. And if Spain are to press with the excellence they showed against Ireland then that uses great dollops of energy. Against Croatia, a draw will take Spain through but expect them to play to win and do not be surprised to see a few of the stars currently warming the bench play a role.
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