The manager of the Spain national football team, Vicente Del Bosque, has not disclosed who will be the goalie for the World Champions in their opening Confederations Cup match against Uruguay on Sunday.
There are three goalkeepers in the Spanish squad for this competition. They are Iker Casillas, Victor Valdes and Pepe Reina.
Casillas has been the first choice goalkeeper for Spain in the last 5 years and he has performed brilliantly in big tournaments. But, he has been out of competitive football since the last 5 months. He had injured his hand playing for Real Madrid in the second half of the last season. Although, he got fit in March, but, Jose Mourinho didn’t give him any playing opportunities in the remaining part of the season and preferred Diego Lopez ahead of him.
So, Casillas is clearly short of match practice and that’s why, the experts are saying that he should not be included in the starting XI for the match against Uruguay.
When asked who will be the goalie for Spain in Sunday’s match, Bosque said, “I haven’t decided that yet. All the goalies in the squad are class acts. They play for big clubs and they are the first choice goalkeepers there. It’s hard to choose one out of them.”
When asked about Casillas having a tough last season, Bosque said, “Yes, he has struggled in the last few months, but, he is a tough guy and he won’t take too long to regain his form.”
Casillas had also talked to the reporters earlier in the day and when he was asked whether he thinks he will get a playing chance on Sunday, he had said, “I have no idea. It will be manager’s decision. Let’s see what he does. If he gives me a go, I will go out there and give my 100%.”