Attack choices do not convince press

GDANSK, Poland - Agence France-Presse

Fernando Torres. AFP Photo

Spain’s media yesterday expressed concern about weaknesses in the national side’s forward line during its Euro 2012 Group C opener against Italy which finished 1-1.

The online edition of El Pais was the most critical of Vicente Del Bosque’s team - which started to many people’ surprise without a recognized striker up front - headlining its article on Sunday’s match in Gdansk, northern Poland: “Spain off to a stuttering start.”

“With Fernando Torres a symptom, Spain failed to get off to the start in Gdansk that they did in Vienna four years ago (when the team went on to win the title),” the newspaper said.

“It was more like the false start in World Cup 2010 against the Swiss (who won 1-0 - although they did go on to win the title).” Spain is without Barcelona striker David Villa for the tournament. Spain’s all-time record goalscorer broke a leg last December but has failed to come back to full fitness and was not selected for Euro 2012.

El Pais wondered how Spain would compensate for Villa’s absence but did not seem completely convinced by Barca’s Cesc Fabregas and even less so by Torre s, the Chelsea striker who replaced the former Arsenal attacking midfielder.

 he AS sporting daily, however, was a little less harsh on Torres, who scored against Barcelona to take Chelsea to the final of the Champions League, which they eventually won.

“The squad has been better with him and (Jesus) Navas (of Seville who also came on in the second-half) but the striker (Torres) failed to finish in front of goal after good approach play,” it analyzed.

Only the newspaper Marca was more positive, assessing: “Spain may not have won their first match but to their credit they didn’t lose.”