Sáez includes new faces
Thursday, April 24, 2003
Article summary
Xabi Alonso and Luis García are the two surprises in Iñaki Sáez's Spain squad to face Ecuador next week.
Article body
Xabi Alonso and Luis García are the two surprises in Spain coach Iñaki Sáez's squad for the friendly against Ecuador next Wednesday at Club Atlético de Madrid's Vicente Calderón stadium.
Key figure
Xabi Alonso, who is promoted from the Under-21s, has been a key figure in Real Sociedad's success this season, impressing in the role of playmaker. Luis García also receives his first call-up for the match on his home stadium in Madrid. He has scored nine goals from left midfield for Atlético this season.
No Raúl
Raúl González is absent from the squad following his appendix operation but there are two Real Madrid CF forwards in the squad in Guti and Fernando Morientes. The match is a warm-up for Spain's next UEFA EURO 2004™ qualifier at home against Greece on 7 June. Spain are top of Group 6 with ten points from four games.
Spain squad
Casillas, Cañizares, Puyol, Helguera, Salgado, Marchena, Aranzabal, Raúl Bravo, Xavi, Joaquín, Luis García, Albelda, Vicente, Baraja, Xabi Alonso, Etxeberría, José Mari, Guti, Morientes.