Alvaro Arbeloa believes Spain must play to the strengths of Fernando Torres at Euro 2008.
Defender demands tactical reshuffle in Austria and Switzerland
Alvaro Arbeloa believes Spain must play to the strengths of Fernando Torres at Euro 2008 after hailing the striker as 'the best in Europe'.
Spain - who have not won a major international honour since Euro 1964 - are ranked among the favourites to secure glory in Austria and Switzerland this summer, but their tag as perennial underachievers continues to create doubts.
Full-back Arbeloa, though, is confident he and his team-mates can end a 44-year wait for glory, if they offer the correct service to Liverpool colleague Torres.
Arbeloa saw Torres fire the Anfield outfit to the UEFA Champions League semi-finals last season after netting 33 goals in all competitions and he feels that can only benefit Spain.
Rival
"I believe Fernando has had no rival in Europe this season," Arbeloa told
Marca.
"He has been the best in Europe and I am not saying that just because of his numbers; I say it because of his importance to the team.
"He took Liverpool to the semi-finals of the Champions League, scoring against Internazionale, Arsenal and Chelsea. He is always there.
"We need to take advantage of Fernando like we have been doing at Liverpool.
Risk
"I have noticed that at Liverpool we have been able to make the most of Torres' qualities.
"When he gets away from his marker, we send the ball forward without doubting it.
"In Spain there is more possession and we would risk less with those long balls for Fernando."
Torres - who twisted an ankle and was forced to sit out training on Monday - is expected to be fit for Spain's final warm-up game against USA on Wednesday, but midfielder Andres Iniesta is likely to be missing with a stomach upset.
