via Reuters

Uncle Del Bosque thinks that Spain’s critics need to start eating their paellas and chill out as they prepare to face Belgium in a World Cup qualifier.

“The criticism I take is normal. When you lose, the critic sees fit to criticise. Football is a debate. There is no single thought, no single idea in football,” he said.

Xabi Alonso will also partner Marcos Senna – who was also called up – in midfield. He said : “Today I have been working with Xavi and I think it went well. And when I play with Senna it is no problem either.”

Added Del Bosque : “Marcos is an important player in midfield and was instrumental in the European Championship. It also has much prestige among people around him. Having said that, I would stress that we have found a perfect replacement in the form of Sergio Busquets.”

Greaseano (desculpe, he’s a best seller on Futbolita) is confident of victory in Portugal against Denmark on Saturday in a crucial game where three points are needed to go with chances for the World Cup in South Africa, but Hugo Almeida is calm.

“We still have every chance of qualifying. None of us wants his only experience of the World Cup to be watching it on TV,” Portugal striker Hugo Almeida said.

Added Greaseano “It is true that there is a lot of pressure. (It) is normal because of what is at stake, but I am sure we can win and that my selection will be in the World Cup.”

He added : “I am the same Cristiano, with the same commitment and desire to win. What is happening is we are at the beginning of the season and it is normal that I’m still not 100%. It is a matter of time and work to get to my level, which most probably will be even higher than what I’ve displayed so far.” Hmmm…