Del Bosque happy with ‘healthy’ headache

Spain manager Vicente Del Bosque maintains it would be “bad” if he did not have any doubts over just what side to pick for today’s Euro 2012 quarter-final against France in Donetsk.

Del Bosque accepts the strength of his squad will mean there is always debate over who should start.

The world champions were hardly convincing as they eked out a 1-0 victory over Croatia to win Group C with seven points from their three games, having opened with a draw against Italy.

The former Real Madrid boss — who again played without a natural striker, once Fernando Torres had been withdrawn with half an hour remaining — indicated no firm decision had been made on how to line up against Les Bleus.

“We are modest, but still optimistic,” he said. “France are difficult opponents and also we have some doubts about the starting line-up, but that is a healthy thing. We are not absolutely right, and we will just try our best.”

France were the last side to eliminate Spain from a major tournament, knocking them out of the 2006 World Cup in Germany.

Del Bosque added: “Everyone thinks we are favourites because we won the Euros four years ago and the World Cup two years ago, but there is evidence that France are better in competitive matches. But we have to think about the present and not the past.”