Spain's style doesn't suit Torres, says Arbeloa
NEUSTIFT, Austria, June 6 (Reuters) - Spain's style of football does not suit their world class striker Fernando Torres, national and Liverpool team mate Alvaro Arbeloa said on Friday.
"It is clear that the national team has a style of playing that does not best suit him or really allow him to shine," defender Arbeloa told a news conference at the team's base in Neustift.
"But Torres is one of the best strikers in the world and he is going to prove that at Euro 2008. The way we play may not be the best for him but that shouldn't stop him scoring goals."
Torres racked up 33 goals in all competitions since his move from Atletico Madrid to Liverpool at the start of the season but has scored just twice in the last year and a half for Spain.
At Liverpool, Torres tends to receive quick service from the midfield and is given space to run at defenders but Spain's elaborate build-up play means that the 24-year-old is often crowded out by opponents.
Spain coach Luis Aragones is keen that his team keeps faith with its patient passing game but believes that one way to give Torres more opportunities is for David Villa to accompany him up front rather than playing him as a lone striker.
"If he (Villa) is fit, we will play with two men up front," Aragones told Radio Marca on Friday.
Aragones said Spain would need all their attacking power if they were to unlock the Russia defence in their opening match in Euro 2008 in Innsbruck on Tuesday.
"(Russia coach Guus) Hiddink is an old fox and there is no doubt that the way they play won't suit us because they are so tight at the back. The first game is so important that you can't, or shouldn't, lose it.
"At the very least we have to draw even if we play badly."
NEUSTIFT, Austria, June 6 (Reuters) - Spain's style of football does not suit their world class striker Fernando Torres, national and Liverpool team mate Alvaro Arbeloa said on Friday.
"It is clear that the national team has a style of playing that does not best suit him or really allow him to shine," defender Arbeloa told a news conference at the team's base in Neustift.
"But Torres is one of the best strikers in the world and he is going to prove that at Euro 2008. The way we play may not be the best for him but that shouldn't stop him scoring goals."
Torres racked up 33 goals in all competitions since his move from Atletico Madrid to Liverpool at the start of the season but has scored just twice in the last year and a half for Spain.
At Liverpool, Torres tends to receive quick service from the midfield and is given space to run at defenders but Spain's elaborate build-up play means that the 24-year-old is often crowded out by opponents.
Spain coach Luis Aragones is keen that his team keeps faith with its patient passing game but believes that one way to give Torres more opportunities is for David Villa to accompany him up front rather than playing him as a lone striker.
"If he (Villa) is fit, we will play with two men up front," Aragones told Radio Marca on Friday.
Aragones said Spain would need all their attacking power if they were to unlock the Russia defence in their opening match in Euro 2008 in Innsbruck on Tuesday.
"(Russia coach Guus) Hiddink is an old fox and there is no doubt that the way they play won't suit us because they are so tight at the back. The first game is so important that you can't, or shouldn't, lose it.
"At the very least we have to draw even if we play badly."
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