The national coach, Luis de la Fuente, has announced the squad for the Spanish National Team‘s two matches against the Netherlands in the quarter-finals of the National League, which includes the young Real Madrid academy player Raúl Asencio.
In addition to the call-up of the young Canary Islander from the Whites, Íñigo Martínez, who is having a great season with Barcelona, is also back. Mingueza has also been recalled and Morata, who is now playing in the Turkish league, is still trusted.
The Spanish national team has decided to pay tribute to the victims of the storm with a video recalling what happened, and in which the players called up have been announced.
The absence of Luis de la Fuente
There are two players who were in the running to be called up, but de la Fuente has not included them. They are Gavi and Isco, from Barcelona and Betis, who will have to wait for another opportunity. “I’m sticking with the players who have been called up. I’m glad we have so many players and it’s a shame that some very good ones can’t be there. “They’re not there but they’re there, they’ll have their chance when we see fit”. ‘In my opinion we have the best squad we can have’.
Asencio and Iñigo Martínez newcomers
Luis de la Fuente has called up Real Madrid youth academy player Raúl Asencio for the first time, and has recalled Iñigo Martinez, who returns to the National Team after several years. He explains that Asencio has demonstrated his quality to be here: “Raúl is having a great season. He hadn’t been with the under-21s before, but there are players who accelerate processes. I always demand opportunities for young and talented people. They take advantage of these opportunities and have a place in professional football. We are delighted that he is joining this family that we have formed and that he is in good health”.
As for the return of Iñigo Martínez, there was speculation in the last squad that Luis de la Fuente would not call him up, something that has just been denied. “He has never been out of our plans. This is a great squad and sometimes I pull one or the other, and it’s an opportune moment for him to be with us. He’s doing very well and he fits in perfectly with us”.
Pedri, the best player in the world in that position
The National Coach has not missed the opportunity to assess the importance of having a player like Pedri in the national team. The Barcelona footballer is going through the best moment of his career, and for De la Fuente, there is no doubt that he is the best in the world in his position, and that he still has room for improvement: “Pedri is at a moment of maturity and performance like never before, but I think we haven’t seen the best Pedri yet. You can play him in many positions, closer to the box, but also in the middle. He gives us the ability to vary our game. For me, he is the best player in the world in that position”.
He also referred to Lamine Yamal, who has already received his first criticism, but continues to demonstrate his high level: “Yamal is 17 years old, we must ask him to continue to enjoy doing what he likes, to continue to understand football as he does. He can go a long way and he still has to keep growing. He has to be prepared for criticism, it’s part of a footballer’s maturity. We are delighted to have his talent”.
A tough opponent in the National League
Spain is playing for a place in the National League playoffs. Both legs of the quarter-final against the Netherlands are a real challenge for Spain and De la Fuente believes it will be decided in the return leg. ”It won’t be decided until the second game. We are facing one of the best teams in Europe, super players. The tie is going to demand the level of the European Championship from us”.
Full list of the National Team for the National League match
- Goalkeepers: Unai Simón, David Raya and Remiro
- Defenders: Mingueza, Iñigo Martínez, Pedro Porro, Le Normand, Pau Cubarsí, Asencio, Grimaldo and Cucurella.
- Midfielders: Zubimendi, Casadó, Fabián, Mikel Merino, Álex Baena and Pedri.
- Forwards: Lamine Yamal, Nico Williams, Ferran Torres, Yeremy Pino, Dani Olmo, Ayoze, Morata, Bryan Zaragoza, Samu, Oyarzabal.