Euro 2020 Profile: Spain

The European Championship trophy on the Metropol Parasol in Seville

The European Championship trophy on the Metropol Parasol in Seville Credit: Extratime Team (ETPhotos)

Team: Spain

Manager: Luis Enrique

Group: E

Other teams in group: Sweden, Poland, Slovakia.

THE SQUAD

Spain have a decent pick with many world class footballers in their ranks. Although it may not be as strong as previous years, they have still plenty of class with representatives’ biggest leagues in Europe. The biggest and most high-profile omission from the squad is Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos who manager Luis Enrique left out after an injury riddled season.

However, Spain are certainly not short on centre backs and can call on the likes of Aymeric Laporte who was called into the squad for the first time after his switch of international allegiance from France and Pau Torres who has impressed for Europa League winners Villareal and has been linked with some big teams across the continent.

David de Gea is expected to be the shot stopper with fellow Premier League and Brighton goalkeeper Robert Sanchez also included in the squad.

Spain have always had an abundance of talent in midfield, and there are no exceptions this time around. 32-year-old veteran Sergio Busquets is included, and the Barcelona man will be looking to experience the highs of 2010 and 2012 again – despite the complications that may arise due to his positive Covid-19 test.

Manchester City’s Rodri will play at his first major tournament for his nation while the midfield also includes the likes of Koke, Thiago and Pedri with the latter receiving his first call up to the squad, having only turned 18 in November.



Spain had three joint top scorers in qualification for the tournament, with Alvaro Morata, Sergio Ramos and Leeds’ Rodrigo all scoring four goals in qualification.

Remarkably, two out of these three did not make the cut with Ramos and Rodrigo left out of the squad. However, Gerard Moreno is included, and he will come into the tournament brimming with confidence, after his Europa League success. He scored 23 goals in La Liga this season, second behind Lionel Messi.

The Villareal striker has an eye for goal and can play as a number 10 or out on the left and he will carry the main threat up front.  Wolves’ Adama Traore is a surprise inclusion and he will look to add some much-needed speed to the Spanish attack.

The squad in full:

Goalkeepers: Unai Simon (Athletic Bilbao), David de Gea (Manchester United), Robert Sanchez (Brighton).

Defenders: Jose Gaya (Valencia), Jordi Alba (Barcelona), Pau Torres (Villarreal), Aymeric Laporte (Manchester City), Eric Garcia (Manchester City), Diego Llorente (Leeds), Cesar Azpilicueta (Chelsea)



Midfielders: Marcos Llorente (Atletico Madrid), Sergio Busquets (Barcelona), Rodri (Manchester City), Pedri (Barcelona), Thiago (Liverpool), Koke (Atletico Madrid), Fabian (Napoli), Dani Olmo (RB Leipzig), Pablo Sarabia (Paris Saint-Germain).

Forwards: Gerard Moreno (Villarreal), Alvaro Morata (Atletico Madrid), Ferran Torres (Manchester City), Adama Traore (Wolves), Mikel Oyarzabal (Real Sociedad).

HOW THEY GOT HERE

 Spain finished top of group F, enjoying an unbeaten run in their 10 games to comfortably qualify for the tournament. Out of the 10 games, they won eight, and drew twice against Sweden and Norway. The other teams that made up Group F consisted of Malta, Romania, and the Faroe Islands, with Spain comfortably accounting for all teams in the group.

They qualified in emphatic style, winning their last two games 7-0 and 5-0 against Malta and Romania respectively, and with 15 different scorers throughout qualification, they will come into the tournament full of confidence.

Co-incidentally, they will face Sweden in their group again, having been in their qualifying group. The sides last met at a major tournament in 2008 at the group stages when David Villa’s 92nd minute winner helped them qualify for the knockout stages, which they eventually went on to win. Could history repeat itself in group E?

KEY PLAYERS TO WATCH OUT FOR

Sergio Busquets (Barcelona): Busquets is included and will play in his sixth major tournament for La Roja. The veteran midfielder is the most experienced of a talented pool of midfielders in the Spain squad. He is one of the best defensive midfielders in the world and his performances will be vital to Spain’s chances of silverware. One healthy headache that Luis Enrique will have is who to partner Busquets in midfield with Rodri, Thiago, Koke and Fabian all enjoying impressive seasons with their respective clubs.

Pedri (Barcelona). 18-year-old Pedro earned his first international call up under Luis Enrique and the Barcelona playmaker will look to light up the Euro’s. He has been a bright spark in a turbulent year for Barcelona, and he has had some early comparisons to Andreas Iniesta. He has already made over 50 appearances for Barcelona in all competitions this season and he could be a one to watch in the tournament.

Pau Torres (Villareal). With all the focus on the exclusion of Sergio Ramos, many eyes will be on the Spanish defence and how they cope without Ramos. Despite a poor league campaign, Villareal ended it on a high, beating Manchester United in the Europa League final on penalties. Pau Torres was central to that run and the towering centre half is comfortable on the ball and also carries a huge aerial threat. He has big boots to fill in the absence of Ramos, and a solid performance in the tournament could well earn him a big money move in the Summer.

WHERE THEY ARE PLAYING AND STAYING

Monday 14th June: Spain v Sweden, K.O 20.00 (Estadio de La Cartuja, Sevilla)

Saturday June 19th: Spain v Poland, K.O 20.00 (Estadio de La Cartuja, Sevilla).

Wednesday June 23rd: Spain v Slovakia K.O 17.00 (Estadio de La Cartuja, Sevilla).

THREE INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT THE TEAM

Since the Euros began way back in 1960, Spain are the only team to have successfully defended their title, winning it in 2008 and winning it again in 2012.

It is the first time in their history that Spain will head to a major tournament without a Real Madrid player in their squad.

Spain have won the Euros’ three times (1964, 2008, 2012). They are level at the top with Germany who have also won it three times. La Roja will be hoping to overtake the Germans in July as the team with the most tournament wins.

THEIR RECENT FORM

World Cup Qualifiers

Spain 3 Kosovo 1. (31 March)

Georgia 1 Spain 2 (28 March)

Spain 1 Greece 1 (25 March).

 

First game: Monday June 14th, v Sweden, K.O 20.00.

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