Morientes hails Spain depth

Fernando Morientes has hailed Spain’s substitutes as he believes they give the team an edge compared to their opponents.

The former Real Madrid striker said the fringe players can make just as big an impact as the regular starters in the team, citing the Euro 2008 and 2010 World Cup finals as an example.

He added such depth was missing in the past for Spain, including during his own time in the national team between 1998 and 2007 when he collected 47 caps and scored 27 goals.

“The difference nowadays is that the substitutes have the same potential as the first 11,” Morientes told L’Equipe.

“They played the Euro 2008 final without David Villa, their top-scorer, and they still won.

“They played the 2010 World Cup final with Fernando Torres, Jesus Navas and Cesc Fabregas on the bench, they came on during extra-time and they make the difference.

“(Against the Netherlands) Navas is at the start of the decisive attacking move, Torres as well and Fabregas delivered the assist for Andres Iniesta.

“In what other team does one find such depth?”