It's the question on everyone's lips: could Fernando Torres be recalled by Spain for EURO 2016? “Yes, of course”, was Vicente del Bosque's categorical reply when asked about the in-form Atlético striker today in Santa Coloma de Gramenet. Del Bosque attended an event in which Espanyol and Barcelona's Under-12s played a mini-match in which his son Álvaro took part.

“Torres is a striker who have given us so much over the years - he's taken part in the last three major trophy triumphs and we hold him in great esteem”, Del Bosque added. The coach also spoke about the exchange of words between Gerard Piqué and Sergio Ramos, describing the matter as trival: “It's just looking for something when there's nothing there. The only thing that matters is that they have a good relationship and that, and that when the national team joins up, the atmosphere is as good as it always has been”. Whilst on the subject of La Roja, the Spain coach admitted that a hypothetical, all-Spanish Champion League final might complicate his plans for EURO 2016: “It certainly wouldn't help us, but once we know who the finalists are, we can start thinking about finsing solutions. It won't have any effect on who makes the list and who doesn't. On May 22nd we have the Copa del Rey final and on the 28th, the Champions League… We'll have the list pretty much sewn up by then”.

As for the tighest league title race in recent years, Del Bosque says he couldn't pick a favourite. “There's nothing in it. A couple of weeks ago, such a scenario was unthinkable but sometimes football springs these surprises which have no explanation”, he said. “The current situation is actually very good for LaLiga, not for some teams, but we have to be pleased that at both ends - at the top of the table and at the bottom, the level of competition is very high”.

Del Bosque feels sure that the two Champions League semi-finals won't have an adverse effect on Madrid's and Atlético's title ambitions. “I don't think either will be affected, these players are used to playing every Wednesday and Sunday; they have that sense of responsibility and they're highly-motivated - which is only to expected, after all they have two trophies to fight for”.