Spain

News, commentary, tickets, pre and post match reaction alongside opinion about the Spain national football team.

June 4, 2021June 7, 2021 David

Europe, Tickets

Euro 2020 Teams To Have Larger Squads Due To COVID

Each country playing at Euro 2020 this summer will be allowed a squad of 26 and will be able to replace players who test positive for Covid-19 up until their first match.

UEFA has confirmed the increase in squad numbers from the usual 23 players to 26 in light of the tournament being played in extraordinary circumstances amid the pandemic.

The expanded squads will ease the situation if one or more players within the camp test positive for coronavirus and have to self-isolate during the finals, which begin on June 11. Read more... (994 words, estimated 3:59 mins reading time)

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June 4, 2021June 9, 2021 David

Europe, Tickets, World Cup

Sergio Ramos Left Out Of Spain squad For Euro 2020

Sergio Ramos has been left out of Spain boss Luis Enrique’s Euro 2020 squad. The Real Madrid centre-back has been struggling with injury and has only played one game since the end of March.

His absence means there are no players from Real Madrid picked by Enrique for this summer’s delayed tournament.

Manchester City defender Aymeric Laporte had his switch from France to Spain approved by Fifa recently and he makes the 24-man squad.

He is one of 10 players from the Premier League picked by Enrique, including Brighton keeper Robert Sanchez, Leeds United defender Diego Llorente and Wolves forward Adama Traore. Read more... (541 words, estimated 2:10 mins reading time)

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November 19, 2019March 19, 2020 David

Europe, World Cup

Luis Enrique Returns As Spain Boss

Luis Enrique has officially returned as Spain boss five months after stepping down for personal reasons, it has been confirmed.

Former Barcelona boss Enrique stepped down from the role in June to spend time with his terminally ill daughter, who tragically passed away earlier this year.

The 49-year-old was replaced by his assistant, Robert Moreno, who went unbeaten through his nine matches at the helm – winning seven, and they have sealed their place in next summer’s European Championships finals. Read more... (251 words, estimated 1:00 mins reading time)

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November 17, 2019March 19, 2020 David

World Cup

Luis Enrique Sacked Friend For Being “Disloyal”

Luis Enrique made his official return as head coach of the Spain team on Wednesday morning in Madrid, admitting that he felt betrayed by his former No 2 Robert Moreno.

Moreno took over from Luis Enrique in June when he resigned to care for his nine-year-old daughter Xana before she died of bone cancer in August.

Moreno saw Spain safely into next summer’s tournament but then left the job in tears after the last qualifier without giving his final post-match press conference.

The Spanish Football Federation [RFEF] reappointed Luis Enrique the following day amid suggestions he had not wanted Moreno on his staff. Read more... (454 words, estimated 1:49 mins reading time)

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November 30, 2018November 30, 2019 David

Europe, Tickets

Euro 2020 Draw: Winners And Losers

The qualifying draw for Euro 2020 has been made and with any draw, some nations are much happier with their opponents than others.

The likes of Italy and England will be pleased with the draw but and Holland have been left cursing their luck.

Winners
Italy

After failing to qualify for World Cup, the Azzurri have been given a real chance of reaching this major tournament with Bosnia the only real threat in their group.

Manager Roberto Mancini was particularly happy to avoid Germany after his side were drawn in Group J, which also holds Finland, Greece, Armenia and Liechtenstein. Read more... (699 words, estimated 2:48 mins reading time)

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November 21, 2018October 30, 2020 David

Europe, Tickets

Euro 2020: Germany Falls To Second Pot

The 2020 EURO qualification just got a little more interesting with the news that UEFA has confirmed that Italy will be in Pot 1 and that Germany and Iceland will be in pot 2.

Joining Italy will be seeded alongside Belgium, France, Spain, Croatia and Poland.

Switzerland, Portugal, Netherlands and England are in their own Nations League pot after winning their respective groups.

The quartet are already assured of a playoff spot and will be drawn the first position in Groups A–D to ensure they each have two dates free to play the Nations League Finals in June. Read more... (262 words, estimated 1:03 mins reading time)

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September 12, 2018October 30, 2020 David

Barcelona, Champions League, Europa League, Inter Milan, Juventus, Real Madrid

Spain Dominates FIFPro World XI Nominations

FIFPro, the worldwide players’ union, and FIFA have announced the 55 names in contention for the FIFA FIFPro World11 2018.

The FIFA FIFPro World11 is decided by the players, for the players and involves votes from almost 25,000 professional footballers from 65 different countries. During voting, they each select one goalkeeper, four defenders, three midfielders and three forwards.

This year’s list includes some familiar names, and standout statistics. Ten of last year’s World11 return to make the 55-man list, with Real Madrid the most-represented club side, seeing a full 11 players make the cut. Spain (nine) and France (eight) are the countries with the most players represented on the list. Read more... (618 words, estimated 2:28 mins reading time)

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June 15, 2018June 16, 2018 David

La Liga, Real Madrid, World Cup

Julen Lopetegui Unveiled As Real Madrid Manager

There was no lull in the mud-slinging between the Spanish national team and Real Madrid as the club’s president Florentino Perez labelled the decision to sack Julen Lopetegui ‘absurd’.

Spain kick-off their World Cup on Friday against Portugal but there was no amnesty, with Perez defending his club’s decision to poach the national team boss on the eve of the finals.

He said: ‘

Real Madrid had reached an agreement with Lopetegui for him to take over after the World Cup, respecting his contract, and it needed to be made public for it to be transparent and to avoid rumour and leaks that could affect the team. Read more... (760 words, 1 image, estimated 3:02 mins reading time)

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June 13, 2018June 16, 2018 David

World Cup

Spanish Civil War As Julen Lopetegui SACKED As Spain Boss

Stunning news from the Spain camp ahead of the World Cup where Julen Lopetegui has been sacked as Spain boss on the eve of the World Cup after Spanish FA chiefs were left furious following his announcement as Real Madrid boss.

Spain hastily called a press conference as reports emanated that the head of the Spanish FA, Luis Rubiales, was left outraged by the timing of the announcement.

Following a bizarre morning, during which the Spanish players pleaded with Rubiales for Lopetegui to keep his job, it was decided that the manager’s position had become untenable. Read more... (354 words, 1 image, estimated 1:25 mins reading time)

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June 14, 2014July 7, 2018 David

Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Man City, Man Utd., World Cup

World Cup Day 2: End Of An Era In Spain

The second day of the World Cup brought us our first surprise as holders Spain were taken apart 5-1 by Holland in a rematch of the 2010 World Cup final. In the day’s other games Mexico beat Cameroon 1-0 while Chile got by Australia 3-1.

But the story was in Salvador where the new Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal side took apart the defending European champions with a brilliant second half display. Read more... (441 words, 1 image, estimated 1:46 mins reading time)

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