Del Bosque laments state of Lithuanian pitch

AFP, Monday 28 Mar 2011

Vicente del Bosque says he would prefer his world champion Spain side not to play their Euro 2012 qualifier in Lithuania on Tuesday due to the woeful state of the pitch here

Del Bosque

"If we were to forget the issue of the pitch, we'd prefer to play," Del Bosque said. "We know the difficulties with the calendar but if the pitch is bad, it is bad. The ideal is not to play.

"It's neither good for us nor for them (Lithuania)," he said, adding that his side "would adapt" to the testing ground conditions.

Midfielder Andres Iniesta added: "It's clear that they're not the best possible conditions but if we must play, we'll be ready."

Lituania beat Poland 2-0 in a friendly at the same Kaunsas stadium on Friday and Spanish television channels have since shown a yellowed and sparse pitch.

Spain head Group I of the Euro 2012 qualifiers with four wins from four games ahead of the Czech Republic, whom the Spaniards beat 2-1 on Friday.

Lithuania sit behind third-placed Scotland but ahead of winless Liechtenstein.

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