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Raul confirmed in bench role
14/06/2006: Spain boss Luis Aragones has confirmed that Raul will be on the bench for their opening match against the Ukraine.
The Real Madrid idol suffered ankle and thigh knocks at the weekend and was forced to sit out of part of Spain's preparations for their opening match which is the reason behind Aragones' decision.
The Spanish tactician is expected to go with a three-pronged attack of Fernando Torres, David Villa and Luis Garcia but he may use Raul later in the game.
"Raul has always said he's here for whatever the coach needs," Aragones told Sky Sports News.
"I think it will be difficult for him to play 90 minutes, he can play some part in the match rather than start at the beginning.
"These are things the coach and player talk about and know themselves."
Raul himself understands the coach's decision and insists that the team is the most important thing.
He said: "I'm not in the team but it doesn't affect me that much because it is the team that is the most important. The coach has picked his 11 players and that's it."
Raul also said that he and the rest of the squad were relishing the chance to get their own campaign underway, having had to watch most of the other teams make their first appearances.
"The team has prepared very well and are very keen to start the championships," he said.
"We've seen all the other teams start and want to start ourselves.
"It's going to be a difficult match in principle. I'm not going to play but I'm going to help in any way I can."
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