Spain manager Luis de la Fuente on Friday released his final squad for the upcoming European qualifiers. The La Rojas face Cyprus on the 16th of November, and Georgia three days later. Fuente surprisingly left Barcelona duo Alejandro Balde and Pedri out of the squad.
Pedri’s omission is understandable with the midfielder just coming back from a hamstring injury. However, Balde has featured regularly in the Spain squad last year and his omission comes as bit of a surprise.
Spain will not have any other competitive fixtures after these two ahead of Euros in Germany next year. Fuente will have a close eye on players’ performances as he looks to lift the Euro Cup 2024 for the La Rojas.
Notably, Spain is the most successful team in the Euro Cup along with Germany. Both sides have won three Euro Cups each. Spain won successive Euro Cups in 2008 and 2012, lifting the World Cup in between in 2010.
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In context of the Euro Cup, Fuente leaving out Balde and Pedri raises eyebrows. The Spain coach had a message for the Barcelona left-back after announcing the squad.
Fuente was asked about Balde’s omission in a press conference on Friday. He said, “I will only talk about players with physical problems. Balde is another player and I encourage him to continue working harder because it is good for Spanish football.“
I can say little about Pedri: Fuente
It looks like the Barcelona left-back has been left out because of performance-related issues. Balde hasn’t looked his best off late in Barca colours and that may have prompted Fuente’s decision.
Fuente spoke about Pedri too but it was not much of an update. The Spain boss had ‘little to say’ about the Barca midfielder. “He is not injured,” he said. “He is a footballer who has just come off a long injury. We count on him for everything. He is a super class.”
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