Rather like Chelsea, Spain would be in a much better place if they had a striker superior to the leggy Diego Costa but what the reigning European champions do have is a razor-sharp passing game that simply wears their opposition down.
Advertisement
Spain, too, had a smooth path through to the tournament in France next year, winning nine of their 10 qualifiers to ensure they will have the opportunity to defend their continental crown, having been dethroned at world level by Germany last year.
“I still believe we have players who are technically good”.
The Football Association is waiting to hear whether England’s friendly game against France on Tuesday will be called off because of Friday night’s terrorist attacks in Paris.
“Even though the best side won the game, I don’t think we were in any way embarrassed”.
The FA has been liaising with the government, their French counterparts and the Metropolitan Police.
And when Vicente del Bosque’s side lost Bayern Munich midfielder Thiago Alcantara to injury just before the half-hour mark they lost a few of their early rhythm on the ball.
Hodgson admitted that England struggled to compete with Spain’s possession-based style and rejected the complaint that was made by his goalkeeper, Joe Hart, about the quality of the pitch.
Sources said there has been no intelligence about a threat to the game. I was very emotional.
There was an understandably sombre mood on England’s flight back to Luton airport on Saturday afternoon.
One of their best chances was a long-range shot by Harry Kane in the 67th minute, and Wayne Rooney’s strike from inside the area in second-half stoppage-time struck the crossbar.
The attacks raise long-term concerns about safety at Euro 2016, which is being held in France.
“Michael has got a severely twisted ankle which normally means ligament damage”, the England boss said, per BBC Sport.
The defeat has re-opened old wounds from the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, where defeats by Italy and Uruguay sparked criticism that England can’t beat the big teams.
“Criticism comes from all corners, people listen and they might start doubting themselves”.
Michael Carrick was stretchered off against Spain while playing for England and could be out for weeks, with fears of ankle ligament damage.
Advertisement
The Premier League’s top scorer injured himself in Leicester’s draw with Watford and Hodgson remains pessimistic about the striker’s chances of featuring.
