Spain boss Vicente del Bosque defended his decision to play Barcelona midfielder Cesc Fabregas as part of an attacking three alongside Andres Iniesta and David Silva in La Roja's 1-1 draw with Italy.
Del Bosque opted to leave out-and-out strikers Fernando Torres, Fernando Llorente and Alvaro Negredo in favour of Fabregas and denied making a tactical error.
"He's a very special player who can get forward and allows us to dominate the middle of the pitch," said Del Bosque.
"We made the most of what he created, which was the best.
"We wanted the security of having the ball against a rival who put us under pressure and stretched us.
"In the second half we took control."
Source: AFP
