Spain coach Vicente del Bosque has named six new faces in an under-strength squad for two warm-up friendlies, while hinting injured attacker David Villa could recover in time for Euro 2012.
La Roja’s preparations include games in Switzerland against Serbia on May 26 and South Korea on May 30, but with Barcelona, Athletic Bilbao and Chelsea players absent with Copa del Rey and Champions League final commitments, the defending champions’ final 23-man party – announced May 27 – will be very different.
Del Bosque said Villa faces a race against time to make the plane to Poland, where Spain face Italy, Croatia and the Republic of Ireland in Group C. “We know how he is coming on from day to day, and Barcelona are optimistic about his recovery,” said Del Bosque. “We value his effort highly and know his desire to make it. Villa’s case is unique.”
Uncapped players receiving a first call are Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea, Atletico right-back Juanfran, midfielders Benat Etxebarria and Javi Garcia of Betis and Benfica, Atletico attacker Adrian Lopez and young Malaga playmaker Isco. Villarreal’s Bruno Soriano and Atletico centre-half Alvaro Dominguez were other surprising inclusions.
Of these in-form Juanfran looks most likely to make the final squad, as an indirect replacement for the injured Carles Puyol. Under-21 European champions Isco, Adrian and de Gea are more likely to head for this summer’s Olympics, allowing 14 senior players including Xavi Hernandez, Andres Iniesta, Fernando Llorente and Juan Mata to return for the final squad.
World Cup winners Fernando Torres, Raul Albiol and Pedro – all dropped for Spain’s last friendly against Venezuela in February – face an anxious wait. “We have included some players who have had very good seasons for their clubs,” said Del Bosque. “We will have to some painful decisions to make and to tell some players that they will not play the Euros. That will be painful, but they must think further ahead. They might return in September.”
Spain squad:
GK: Casillas (Real Madrid), Reina (Liverpool), De Gea (Manchester United);
DF: Arbeloa, Ramos, Albiol (all Real Madrid), Alba (Valencia), Monreal (Málaga), Juanfran, Álvaro Domínguez (both Atletico);
MF: Alonso (Madrid), Cazorla, Isco (both Málaga), Etxebarria (Real Betis), Javi García (Benfica), Bruno (Villarreal CF);
FW: Silva (Man City), Navas, Negredo (both Sevilla), Soldado (Valencia ), Adrián (Atlético)
* For breaking news, follow us on @Sport_360 or find us on Facebook.
