Torres Starts Up Front For Spain Against Irish

sports article on Torres starts up front for Spain against Irish regarding Bosque, Giovanni, Brought, Sergio, Simon, Torres, Vicente, Coach, Fernando, David, Alonso, Silva, Busquets, Andres, Bosqueireland, Iniestacoach, Hernandez, Torres, Alba

Spain coach Vicente del Bosque elected to restore Fernando Torres to his starting line-up for Thursday's Euro 2012 Group C clash with Ireland.

Del Bosque did not play a recognised striker in the defending champions' laboured opening 1-1 draw with Italy, but brought Chelsea's Torres off the bench for the last 15 minutes against the Italians on Sunday.

Torres starts at the expense of Barcelona's Cesc Fabregas, who scored the goal against the Italians, while the rest of the team is unchanged and Del Bosque has stuck with the same 4-3-3 formation used in the draw with Italy.

Ireland coach Giovanni Trapattoni has made just one change to the team beaten 3-1 by Croatia as the Italian veteran has brought in West Bromwich Albion's Simon Cox for Wolverhampton's Kevin Doyle.

Teams:

Spain - (4-3-3)

Iker Casillas (capt); Alvaro Arbeloa, Gerard Pique, Sergio Ramos, Jordi Alba; Xavi Hernandez, Sergio Busquets, Xabi Alonso; David Silva, Fernando Torres, Andres Iniesta

Coach: Vicente del Bosque

Ireland (4-4-2)

Shay Given; John O'Shea, Sean St Ledger, Richard Dunne Stephen Ward; Aiden McGeady, Glenn Whelan, Keith Andrews, Damien Duff; Simon Cox, Robbie Keane (capt.)

Coach: Giovanni Trapattoni

Referee: Pedro Proenca (POR)