Spain had a fantastic period with Xavi, Iniesta, Villa, Torres, Puyol… on the field, and Luis Aragones, then Vicente del Bosque in the roles of coach. The Red Fury was successively European, world, and again continental champion in 2008, 2010 and 2012, however, times are different now.The Spaniards are no longer such a force, not only in terms of results, but also in terms of the names of the players and coach Luis de la Fuente, a 61-year-old little-known to the general public who, after being eliminated in the round of 16 of the World Cup in Qatar, was assigned from the younger categories instead of Luis Enrique.They will try to improve their image at the upcoming EURO 2024 in Germany, although they are not given a great chance for a trophy. At the last continental competition, Spain reached the semi-finals, where they were stopped by Italy thanks to a better penalty shootout. Before that, in France 2016, they had to say goodbye to the competition already in the round of 16, again because of the Italians, but then after a 0-2 defeat.##NAJAVA_MECA_7958587##And once again, the Spaniards will have the reigning European champions as a rival, already in the group stage, along with Croatia and Albania, which hints at fierce battles for the knock-out stages.As part of the preparations for those matches, friendly matches with Colombia (March 22, London) and Brazil (March 26, Madrid) are scheduled, while in June the Spanish national team will test their form against Andorra and Northern Ireland. There are 26 names on the selector’s list for the March matches, of which the call to the 17-year-old Barcelona stopper Pau Cubarci, attracts special attention, also Bilbao’s Vivian and Wolverhampton’s returnee to the national team Pablo Sarabia and Tottenham’s Pedro Porro or Sociedad’s Robin Le Normand, and Villarreal’s Baena. however, they all found themselves overshadowed by Brahim Diaz and his decision to play for Morocco.The quick-footed attacking midfielder of Real Madrid was regularly called up for the younger selections of Spain, but he played only one match for the A team and that was during the coronavirus pandemic, when in a friendly meeting with Lithuania, the seniors were replaced by players from the selection of players under 21 years of age.No need for big changes: Diaby called up again after a yearHowever, the Spanish media attacked coach De la Fuente for not doing more for the 24-year-old Diaz to play for the A national team of Spain.”He was on the extended list, but there is a document dated March 9 in which he informed the Federation that he did not want to play for Spain, but chose Morocco. He made his decision before he even received the invitation. If someone does not want to be with us, we have to accept his decision. Everyone decides for himself. I highly value Diaz, I invited him to the national team the most. I love when people are happy and I wish him the best, and I am grateful to him for the moments we spent together”, said the coach of Spain.Although he tried to change the subject of the press conference and put some other players in the foreground, De la Fuente received more questions related to Diaz. One of them related to whether the Real Madrid player set certain conditions for the coach.”He didn’t ask me personally, nor do I think he has the right to do so. But, don’t mix things up, if someone has already made a decision, then there is nothing to condition.”Brahim has chosen MoroccoThe Spaniards have promising players, led above all by Pedri and Gavi – the 17-year-old Pau Cubrasi could soon join them. who established himself in Barcelona’s first team this year.”I’m glad to be able to enjoy with so many young players, the future of Spanish football is bright. We have other guys with great potential, it’s not common for someone at 16 or 17 to be at such a high level, but Pau and Lamine (Yamal) are special,” De la Fuente pointed out.SPAIN’S SQUAD:Goalkeepers – Unai Simon (Atletico Bilbao), David Raya (Arsenal), Remiro (Real Sociedad).Defenders: Carvajal (Real Madrid), Pedro Porro (Tottenham), Jesus Navas (Sevilla), Le Normand (Real Sociedad), Vivian (Athletic Bilbao), Laporte (Al Nassr), Pau Cubrasi (Barcelona), Grimaldo (Bayer Leverkusen), Gaia (Valencia).Midfield: Rodrigo (Manchester City), Zubimendi (Real Sociedad), Mikel Merino (Real Sociedad), Fabian Ruiz (PSG), Sancet (Athletic Bilbao), Alex Baena (Villarreal).Attack: Lamine Yamal (Barcelona), Nico Williams (Atletico Bilbao), Dani Olmo (RB Leipzig), Oyarzabal (Real Sociedad), Pablo Sarabia (Wolverhampton), Gerard Moreno (Villarreal), Joselu (Real Madrid), Alvaro Morata (Atletico Madrid).
