Torres dropped from Spanish squad Chelsea striker Fernando Torres and new Manchester United midfielder Juan Mata have both been left out of Vicente del Bosque’s Spain squad to face Italy in a friendly next week. Other noticeable absentees include World Cup winners Alvaro Arbeloa, Fernando Llorente, Carles Puyol and all-time leading scorer David Villa. The upcoming game is the last fixture scheduled before Del Bosque announces his final 23-man unit that will do battle at the World Cup later this year, yet the national coach insists there is still time for those not in his current squad to make the team for Brazil. “There are more than two important players who are left out,” Del Bosque said. “But this list is just for Italy. There is time in front of us, three months of competition, and many things could happen that ratify this list or make us bring others.” Two newcomers to the Spanish set-up include Bayern Munich midfielder Thiago Alcantara and in-form Atletico Madrid striker Diego Costa, who has played two international games for his native Brazil before being granted Spanish citizenship last year. “I have not spoken to [Costa] but the federation have called him to make sure he was still thinking the same,” Del Bosque said ahead of the Brazil-born striker’s first match for the current World and European champions. “This list is not final for Brazil. It is a unique case because he [Costa] had never come with us before, and for him being born in Brazil. But he is a player who comes because of what he has done for his club. We have decided he can help us.” The Spain boss feels the friendly against fellow European giants Italy will provide a stern test for his side. “They [Italy] are one of the world’s big national teams,” he said. “They have Juventus as a base, and are playing very strong games, like the first game of Euro 2012, the two from the Confederations Cup, one of them agonising with extra-time when they were just as strong as we were. And the final [of Euro 2012], which was for sure our best game of recent years.” The friendly will take place at Atletico’s Estadio Vicente Calderon in Madrid on Wednesday, 5 March. Full Spain squad vs Italy: Goalkeepers: Iker Casillas [Real Madrid], Pepe Reina [Napoli], Victor Valdes [Barcelona] Defenders: Juanfran Torres [Atletico Madrid], Javi Martinez [Bayern Munich], Sergio Ramos [Real Madrid], Jordi Alba [Barcelona], Cesar Azpilicueta [Chelsea], Raul Albiol [Napoli]. Midfielders: Xabi Alonso [Real Madrid], Sergio Busquets, Xavi Hernandez, Andres Iniesta & Cesc Fabregas [Barcelona], Koke [Atletico Madrid], Thiago Alcantara [Bayern], Jesus Navas & David Silva [Man City], Santi Cazorla [Arsenal]. Attackers: Diego Costa [Atletico], Alvaro Negredo [Man City], Pedro Rodriguez [Barca].
Posted on: Sat, 01 Mar 2014 14:49:59 +0000