Spain boss Luis de la Fuente has explained why he dropped Barcelona midfielder Pedri to the bench for Friday’s World Cup quarter-final against Belgium.
Pedri was a surprise absentee from the starting XI for the match, with PSG star Fabian Ruiz getting the nod instead for the key match.
De la Fuente was quizzed on his team selection after the game and offered up the following response.
“It’s unfair that Mikel Merino isn’t playing, but it would be equally unfair if someone else were left out. Only eleven can play, and they understand that role, the part they have to play at any given moment.
“When they come on, they know what they have to do, which is why it’s a pleasure to be their coach. Fabián is training very well, as is Pedri, but any of them could play.
“We were looking to give the team a different feel; Fabián has more control of the game, he’s different from Pedri. We understood that’s what we needed: more attacking threat, while Pedri is left out for the final stages with his freshness and vision.”
Ruiz did go on to score the opening goal in the match which ended in a 2-1 victory for Spain and set up a semi-final tie against France.