Sáez continues to tinker

By Andy Hall

Spain coach Iñaki Sáez has introduced new faces to his squad for next Wednesday's friendly against Italy, recalling Manuel Pablo García and handing FC Barcelona forward Luis García his first chance at senior level.

Last phase
Sáez has named a 19-man squad for the match in Genoa. The coach has just one more EURO 2004™ dress rehearsal after the Italian fixture, when the Spanish take on Andorra next month, but he has said there are still opportunities for players to force their way into his thinking.

Welcome back
Right-back Manuel Pablo returns on the strength of his performances in the UEFA Champions League with RC Deportivo La Coruña. The 28-year-old was playing regularly for his country until he was sidelined for a year by a shin injury but is now in line for his 13th international appearance.

Eight goals
Luis García, meanwhile, has scored eight goals for FC Barcelona this term and Sáez feels the time is right to hand the 25-year-old his first cap. The player usually occupies a left-sided position and could deputise for winger Vicente Rodríguez. "Luis García was picked once before but got injured and was omitted from the list," Sáez said.

Place assured
AS Monaco FC talisman Fernando Morientes's exploits against Real Madrid CF and Chelsea FC appear to have convinced Sáez to take him to Portugal. "Fernando is the leading scorer in the Champions League and it would be a sin to leave him out," Sáez added.

Mista missing
However, the coach has resisted picking Valencia CF striker Mista, even though the player is the second top scorer in the Primera División with 19 goals. Sáez hinted that an opportunity may arise in the final friendly against Andorra: "Mista is doing well and scoring goals but the problem is, I have only one game left to try out the team."

Spain squad
Casillas, Cañizares, Puyol, Marchena, Manuel Pablo, Salgado, Raúl Bravo, Helguera, Albelda, Baraja, Etxeberria, Vicente, Xabi Alonso, Xavi, Valerón, Raúl, Torres, Luis García, Morientes.