Spain take to the flanks with Torres and Valeron in reserve
If nothing else, nobody will be able to accuse Spanish coach Inaki Saez of taking a leaf out of Sir Alf Ramsey's book at Euro 2004.
If nothing else, nobody will be able to accuse Spanish coach Inaki Saez of taking a leaf out of Sir Alf Ramsey's book at Euro 2004.
Sir Alf's "wingless wonders" captured England's only major trophy with their 1966 World Cup triumph but Spain, who likewise have only tasted a solitary success - in their case the 1964 European Championship - travel to Portugal next week with two wide boys determined to make their presence count on the flanks.
Saez, who has been through the whole gamut of emotions since taking over from Juan Antonio Camacho after the 2002 World Cup, given Spain's need to squeak through the playoffs against Norway, looks to have decided on his starting eleven for their opening Group A match against Russia in Faro on the Algarve.
Accordingly, Saez is set to play Champions League top scorer - and Real Madrid misfit - Fernando Morientes in a lone role in attack backed up by former Real colleague Raul with Atletico Madrid's exciting young striker Fernando Torres in reserve, though the latter impressed in scoring the winner in Tuesday training.
One of the wide men looking to supply the ammunition is Valencia's Vicente Rodriguez, who will only turn 23 in July but who has already earned that number of caps after his consistency with the league champions impressed Saez, although the youngster's debut came under Camacho in a friendly win over France in March 2001.
The other is Athletic Bilbao's Joseba Etxeberria, nine years faithful to his Basque club and who has already made a half century of international appearances, scoring 12 goals.
The winger strategy means that one of Saez's long-standing proteges, Juan-Carlos Calderon, will have to force his way into the first-choice eleven from the bench.
Valeron, who turns 29 during the tournament, has tormented many a rival both at home and at Champions League level for Deportivo La Coruna but he first became associated with Saez at Las Palmas, where he started out in 1994.
Spells at Real Mallorca and Atletico Madrid followed before a move to Deportivo four seasons ago.
Although on the squad which won the under 21 European Championship six years ago Valeron is a hot and cold individual who has made 38 international starts for a disappointing haul of just three goals.
However, with Vicente and Etxeberria looking set to get the vote for now Spain have in Valeron a playmaker who will be burning to prove a point if and when he does get his chance.
"All of us need to show our capabilities," was how Valeron cryptically responded in noting that whoever finds favour with Saez for the Russian match will find those colleagues kept in reserve breathing down their necks ahead of further pool matches against hosts Portugal and Greece.
Etxeberria refused to be drawn into commenting on potential internal squad rivalries.
"Our only goal is to knuckle down and beat Russia."
Making France overall favourites he swiftly added: "Spain have a good chance."
At the back, Spain must meanwhile readjust to the loss of Real defender Michel Salgado with a leg injury, allowing Joan Capdevila of Deportivo La Coruna to join up with the squad.
Deportivo, who beat Real Madrid into third place in La Liga, are also supplying Cesar Martin, Valeron and striker Albert Luque.
Saez, though only in the hotseat for two years, has known most of the squad since their formative years having coached the under 21 side to European Championship glory as well as the 1999 World Youth Championship and the 2002 European Under-19 Championship.