Spain: Morata reacts to bench role after Germany goal

The Atletico Madrid star has remained out of Luis Enrique’s lineup despite his impressive form.

Alvaro Morata has insisted Spain’s overall performance is more important to him than his individual playing time.

The 30-year-old came off the bench to score for Spain in their 1-1 draw against Germany on Sunday. It was his second goal in the tournament, following another strike against Costa Rica last week.

Morata’s form has convinced many observers that Luis Enrique should play him ahead of Ferran Torres in Spain’s attacking line. But the Athletico Madrid striker says he doesn’t have a problem with staying on the bench.

“At club level you’ve got more time to train, more space, and obviously, you want to play,” he told Onda Cero. “But here, I can assure you that it doesn’t bother to me at all [to be a substitute].

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“In fact, if I had to choose coming on from the bench in all the games, or even not playing, but the team wins the World Cup, I would sign up for it. I would cheer the team on from the bench.

“In the end, we have a goal, a dream, and all of us feel important. Everyone is important in different ways. All of us are important and everyone has his function.

“Many players who don’t play can be the ones who give more to the group. Historically, it has been like that in the national team.

“I always give an example to the people that want to play but don’t play as much as they want. They have to look at Pepe Reina and Iker Casillas.

“They were here [previous World Cups] without playing, but they always gave their best, so they are examples to follow, and they got the credit that they deserved, whether they played or not.”