Euro 2016: Spain announce 25 man squad

"Spain have announced their 25 man provisional squad for Euro 2016 and Vicente Del Bosque has plenty of surprises in his squad tasked with defending their Euro 2012 crown. "
Published by
17th May 2016

Spain have announced their 25 man provisional squad for Euro 2016 and Vicente Del Bosque has plenty of surprises in his squad tasked with defending their Euro 2012 crown.

 

Diego Costa and Juan Mata are two of the biggest shock omissions after being left out of the squad along with fellow Premier League star Santi Cazorla.

Spain’s top scorer in qualifying was Paco Alcacer with five goals, but the Valencia man has also been axed from the squad as Los Rojas name three strikers with Morata, Nolito and 35-year old Aritz Aduriz getting the nod.

Fernando Torres’ recent return to form was also not enough to get a Spain recall as Juventus’  Alvaro Morata looks set to lead the line at Euro 2016 alongside the uncapped Saul Niguez and Lucas Vasquez.

Chelsea trio Cesar Azpilicueta, Pedro and Cesc Fabregas are among five Premier League players in the squad and have all been included alongside Manchester City’s David Silva, who  returns following his comeback from injury and Manchester United’s David De Gea who is set to be Spain’s number one this summer.

At first glance at the Spanish squad, there appears to be a distinct lack of international experience as Del Bosque opts to go for a fresh and youthful approach in France with call-ups for Barcelona’s Marc Bartra and Villarreal’s Bruno.

In previous years Spain have relied on the experience of Carlos Puyol, Xavi, Xabi Alonso and Fernando Torres. However, all have been left out and Andres Iniesta and Sergio Busquets will be Spain’s reliable duo in midfield.

Barcelona and Real Madrid players make up nine places in the 25-man squad, with the Barca contingent including; Gerard Pique, Jordi Alba, Marc Bartra, Sergio Busquets and Andres Iniesta. Real Madrid have four players included with Sergio Ramos, Dani Carvajal, Isco and Lucas Vazquez

Despite plenty of big names missing out there is no doubt that Spain still have plenty of quality in the team and are still one of the favourites to win the competition for a third time in a row. Spain will cut their squad down to 23 players at the end of the month to decide who makes the travelling squad to France in June.

Spain begin their defence in Group D with Croatia, Turkey and Czech Republic. Football Ticket Pad have Spain tickets available for all of their matches at Euro 2016 matches.

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The Spain squad in full is as follows:

 

Goalkeepers:

 

Iker Casillas - FC Porto

David De Gea - Manchester United FC

Sergio Rico - Sevilla FC

 

Defenders:

 

Sergio Ramos - Real Madrid CF

Gerard Pique - FC Barcelona

Dani Carvajal - Real Madrid CF

Jordi Alba - FC Barcelona

Marc Bartra - FC Barcelona

Cesar Azpilicueta - Chelsea FC

Mikel San Jose - Athletic Bilbao

 

Midfielders:

 

Juanfran - Atletico Madrid

Bruno Soriano - Villarreal CF

Sergio Busquets - FC Barcelona

Koke - Atletico Madrid

Thiago Alcantara - FC Bayern Munich

Andres Iniesta - FC Barcelona

Isco - Real Madrid CF

David Silva - Manchester City FC

Pedro - Chelsea FC

Cesc Fabregas - Chelsea FC

Saul Niguez - Atletico Madrid

Lucas Vazquez - Real Madrid CF

 

Forwards:

 

Alvaro Morata - Juventus FC

Nolito - Celta Vigo

Aritz Aduriz - Athletic Bilbao