Atletico Madrid stars make experimental Spain squad

16May 2012

EURO2012

Michael Lintorn ponders Spain's 21-man squad for their pre-Euro 2012 friendlies, and attempts to predict their eventual 23...

Spain coach Vicente del Bosque has listed seven uncapped players in his 21-man squad for friendlies with Serbia and South Korea, though only around a dozen from that party are likely to be retained for Euro 2012.

The holders' preparations have been scuppered by the Copa del Rey final between Barcelona and Athletic Bilbao - who we suspect will contribute a combined nine players - taking place on May 25, held back in the belief that Barcelona would reach the Champions League final.

The most intriguing newcomers are Europa League winners Atletico Madrid's Juanfran, Alvaro Dominguez and Adrian Lopez, who will be offered opportunities to stake claims at right back, centre back and in attack respectively.

Those areas are up for debate because of injuries to Carles Puyol and David Villa. As the former is expected to be replaced by Sergio Ramos due to a Spanish centre-back shortage, it opens another vacancy in defence.

Alvaro Arbeloa would be favourite to fill in at right back if del Bosque shifts Ramos, however there isn't a wealth of cover for that possible back four of Jordi Alba-Gerard Pique-Ramos-Arbeloa, so Athletic Bilbao's converted midfielder Javier Martinez may be counted as one.

Manchester United's David de Gea was also picked for the friendlies but his chances of making the final cut are slim as Victor Valdes will almost certainly be a late addition as third-choice goalkeeper.

More worries plague Spain entering this tournament than in 2010: Pique's loss of form, Puyol's absence, the lack of succession to Joan Capdevila and Carlos Marchena, Villa's likely unavailability, queries over Torres' quality and the lack of international exposure for many of the alternatives.

Despite those question marks and some high-profile friendly defeats, their competitive record stays unblemished and is 3.80 to remain so with victory in Poland and Ukraine.

Projected Spain squad:

Casillas, Reina, Valdes;
Alba, Monreal (or Iraola), Pique, Martinez, Albiol, Ramos, Arbeloa;
Busquets, Alonso, Silva, Mata, Iniesta, Xavi, Fabregas, Cazorla, Pedro (or Muniain or Navas);
Llorente, Negredo, Torres, Soldado (Villa if fit)