Versatility was the key, says Azpilicueta
Cesar Azpilicueta has said the versatility he has shown with the Blues was what he used with his country Spain in their 2-2 draw with England at Wembley.
It’s safe to say most of us though during Tuesday night’s friendly that the Chelsea full-back came off second best against club team-mate Gary Cahill, who earned his 53rd international cap
However, two goals in the final minutes of the game brought England back down to ground.
Azpilicueta, who earned his 19th cap for Spain, used the sort of adaptability he has been coached under Blues boss Antonio Conte, changing from a back three to a flat back four during the match and operating on both sides.
“At Chelsea we have been playing with that [a back three] in the last few games,” he told West London Sport.
“We started like this. But we changed and I played left-back. I try to improve in every position, to be able to do my job in every position, so obviously it was a special game for me.
“We knew we could change the formation. It’s important for a team that we can change formation depending on the game, and the way they were playing also.
“It was important for us as players to change and adapt.”
Azpilicueta had words of comfort for England after they let slip a 2-0 lead, saying he thought Gareth Southgate’s team played “with great personality.”
He added: “We knew that they were in a good run. We know their strong points. At the end we had the control but we knew that they were dangerous on the counter attack.
“Obviously when 2-0 down we did not deserve that score, but we worked really hard and kept trying right until the end and we got the reward that we deserved.”
ENGLAND VS SPAIN GOAL HIGHLIGHTS:
England 1-0 Spain Adam Lallana Goal Video Highlight
England 2-0 Spain Vardy Goal Video Highlight
England 2-1 Spain Aspas Goal Video Highlight
England 2-2 Spain Isco Goal Video Highlight
