Saez bemoans Salgado injury
The Real Madrid full back has been ruled out of the tournament after suffering a hamstring injury and has been replaced by Joan Capdevila.
Saez acknowledges the influence of Salgado within the Spain squad and is disappointed he will not be able to count on the right back.
"You can imagine what it has cost me," said Saez. "For me, Michel is an essential player, not only on the pitch but as a man in the squad.
"He knows how to transmit outwardly his desire to win and he always puts his heart into it. They are qualities that are needed in the team."
Salgado's absence opened the door for Deportivo La Coruna's Capdevila, although his call has prompted a change in Saez's defensive plans.
Capdevila will now play at left back, with Carles Puyol switching to the right flank, and Saez outlined the reasoning behind his decision.
He continued: "During training, I see things, I analyse them and then I talk about them with my people to reach a conclusion together.
"What interested us most was having a natural left back.
"It is a reasonable decision in logical terms. The final decision was between Manuel Pablo and Capdevila, who got the nod."
