Thursday, 14th November, 2013
Juventus striker Fernando Llorente admits his call-up to the Spain squad came as a surprise, but vowed to prove himself for next year's World Cup despite the presence of Diego Costa.
Llorente was drafted in as Costa's replacement after the Atletico Madrid forward pulled out of the friendlies against Equatorial Guinea and South Africa with injury.
Llorente's call-up comes despite falling down the order with coach Vicente del Bosque, especially when he left Athletic Bilbao for Juventus.
Costa's allegiance switch from Brazil to Spain adds a further hurdle for Llorente, who is slowly making his way into a regular spot with Juventus.
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"I did not expect it", Llorente was quoted as saying by AS. "I was caught by surprise and although it is for Diego Costa I'm very happy to be back.
"Now it is a very difficult time to come into the [squad] and fight a lot, but the year is long and I have time to prove myself.
"What I thought was to try to adapt [to Serie A] as quickly as possible knowing that was normal, that it would be tough. But with the work I was doing, things have gone my way in the end."
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