Cesc, Senna Set For Bench Role

La Furia Roja stepped up their preparations for their second World Cup qualifying match against Armenia with an intense training session in Albacete in front of over 5,000 fans. 

And it was there that coach, del Bosque hammered down his possible starting XI for Wednesday’s game and barring a late change of mind, the team-sheet should include two surprises.

Santi Cazorla and Xabi Alonso, fringe players in Luis Aragonés’ Euro 08 winning team, looks set to be given a chance to impress right from the start of the game. This, however, would mean that Cesc Fàbregas and Marcos Senna will have to be sacrificed, as Xavi is certain to occupy the other central midfield slot and Diego Capel all but confirmed on the left flank.

So eager were Cazorla and Alonso to impress that during a practice session, the Liverpool man clattered into the Villarreal winger, causing him to hit the ground in some pain while clutching on to his knee. But Santi managed to shrug it off and completed the session without any problems.

Del Bosque had briefly considered playing two strikers upfront with Güiza accompanying David Villa, but in the final analysis, he decided against it. Instead, he will now designate the versatile Andrés Iniesta to play in the “hole” just behind the sole attacker, Villa.

source: KS Leong