Spain signal intent with separate selections
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
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Spain coach Juan Ramón López Caro has named two different squads for the forthcoming friendlies against the Republic of Ireland and Sweden on 27 and 31 March respectively as he prepares for this summer's finals.
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Spain coach Juan Ramón López Caro has named two different squads for the forthcoming friendlies against the Republic of Ireland and Sweden on 27 and 31 March respectively.
Future talent
With one eye on the 2011 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualifiers, López Caro has opted for fresh talent for the former encounter in Waterford with new faces José Ángel Valdés, Kiko, Mario Gaspar, Marc Crosas, Míchel and Iván Bolado all hoping to impress the former Real Madrid CF manager. Other notable presences in the list who already have experience at this level include Madrid midfielder Daniel Parejo and Club Atlético de Madrid's Ignacio Camacho.
Returning players
Tuesday's match with tournament hosts Sweden will be López Caro's only opportunity, therefore, to fine tune his first-choice team ahead of this summer's UEFA European U21 Championship finals, where Spain will face Germany, England and Finland in the group stage. Captain and Atlético de Madrid midfielder Raúl García is back in the set-up having missed out on the friendlies with Portugal and Norway while Real Valladolid CF goalkeeper Sergio Asenjo also returns after he recovered from a knee injury.
Top-level experience
Asenjo's club team-mate Pedro León comes in as a right-sided replacement for the unfortunate Sisi, who recently contracted hepatitis A. FC Barcelona's Bojan Krkić brings UEFA Champions League experience to the squad while the likes of Sevilla FC's Diego Capel, Esteban Granero of Getafe CF and RCD Mallorca's José Manuel Jurado have been Spanish Liga regulars for their respective teams this season.
Spain squad (v Republic of Ireland, 27 March)
Goalkeepers: David de Gea (Club Atlético de Madrid), Rubén Miño (FC Barcelona).
Defenders: Mikel San José (Liverpool FC), Kiko (Villarreal CF), César Azpilicueta (CA Osasuna), José Ángel Valdés (Real Sporting de Gijón), Mario Gaspar (Villarreal CF), Alberto Tomás (FC Barcelona).
Midfielders: Daniel Parejo (Real Madrid CF), Marc Crosas (Celtic FC), Jordi Alba (CG Tarragona), Edu (Real Racing Club), Ignacio Camacho (Club Atlético de Madrid).
Forwards: Míchel (Valencia CF), Iván Bolado (Elche CF), Aarón Ñíguez (Rangers FC), Jeffren (FC Barcelona), Emilio Nsue (CD Castellón).
Spain squad (v Sweden, 31 March)
Goalkeepers: Sergio Asenjo (Real Valladolid CF), Roberto Jiménez (RC Recreativo de Huelva).
Defenders: Chico (UD Almería), Sergio Sánchez (RCD Espanyol), Marc Torrejón (RCD Espanyol), Miguel Torres (Real Madrid CF), Roberto Canella (Real Sporting de Gijón).
Midfielders: Javi Martínez (Athletic Club Bilbao), Raúl García (Club Atlético de Madrid), Esteban Granero (Getafe CF), Javi García (Real Madrid CF), José Manuel Jurado (RCD Mallorca), Mario Suárez (RCD Mallorca), Pedro León (Real Valladolid CF), Diego Capel (Sevilla FC), Markel Susaeta (Athletic Club Bilbao).
Forwards: Bojan Krkić (FC Barcelona), Jonathan Pereira (Real Racing Club).