Spain manager Vicente del Bosque was praised to the skies Monday for his team selection in the 2-1 Confederations Cup defeat of Uruguay.
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Del Bosque had to make three important decisions for Spain's opener Sunday against the South American champions in Recife, Brazil - and clearly made the right calls.
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"His decisions were as wise and precise as always," radio station Cadena SER said Monday.
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"Spain is blessed to have such a wily old manager," it said. "He always seems to get his decisions right."
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Del Bosque had to decide whether to stick with Victor Valdes of Barcelona or revert to national captain Iker Casillas in goal.
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Casillas hardly played for Real Madrid last season because of a feud with coach Jose Mourinho followed by injury, and Valdes competently stood in for him for Spain.
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However, Del Bosque decided to bring back Casillas, who has been first choice since 2001, and was rewarded with a calm display from the veteran although Uruguay gave him precious little work to do.
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Del Bosque also had to decide whether to replace the injured Xabi Alonso with another defensive midfielder or whether to revert to the 4-1-4-1 formation that helped Spain begin their winning cycle at Euro 2008.
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He decided to go back to 4-1-4-1 with Sergio Busquets as the sole defensive midfielder. The result was an impressive exhibition of midfield possession, control and creativity as the Barcelona quartet of Busquets, Xabi, Andres Iniesta and Cesc Fabregas danced Uruguay to a standstill.
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The sports newspaper AS commented Monday that "maybe this team plays better without Alonso with Busquets as the only anchorman."
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Its competitior Mundo Deportivo wrote, "Busquets seems to play better on his own in front of defence."
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The third and possibly most important decision Del Bosque had to make was whether to play Fabregas as a false striker as at Euro 2012, whether to opt for either Fernando Torres or David Villa in attack - both in poor form - or whether to go with Valencia's Roberto Soldado.
Spain is still a threat to every team participating in the Confederations Cup this year. The team is very united.