Monday, 9th June, 2014
Spain manager Vicente del Bosque believes a few stars missing the World Cup will not make the tournament less attractive.
Last week Colombian striker Radamel Falcao and France winger Franck Ribery were ruled out of the World Cup due to their respective injuries.
It was then followed with the news of Germany midfielder Marco Reus being sidelined from the tournament with an ankle injury.
However, Del Bosque feels the injuries will not diminish the grandeur of the World Cup.
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"A couple of world stars are not going to be at the World Cup but I don't think because of that the World Cup is going to be less attractive," he said via FIFA.
"That's not going to diminish the World Cup from being a great event."
Spain, who are in Group B, will begin their World Cup campaign against the Netherlands on Friday, in a rematch of the 2010 final.
And Del Bosque insisted that his side do not fear the Dutch, but the 63-year-old was quick to add that La Roja have utmost respect for Louis van Gaal’s team.
"We don't have any fear. But we do have respect," he added.
"They are runners-up from the last World Cup so we have full respect for Holland."
After Friday’s opener against the Netherlands, Spain will play Chile and Australia on 18th and 23rd June respectively.
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