Euro 2020 Profile Spain:
Luis Enrique has named his squad for the Euros. he has taken only 24 players to the Euros despite having the option of taking 26. The big and controversial decision made by the former Barcelona manager is leaving out Captain Sergio Ramos. Sergio Ramos has been a stalwart in the Spanish side for over a decade. The Real Madrid captain last year broke the Spanish record for most caps for Spain. Ramos has been in every Spain squad under Luis Enrique. This decision has been largely influenced by the defender’s injury woes this season.
Goalkeepers: Unai Simon (Athletic Bilbao), David de Gea (Manchester United), Robert Sanchez (Brighton)
Defenders: Pau Torres (Villarreal), Aymeric Laporte (Manchester City), Diego Llorente (Leeds United), Eric Garcia (Manchester City), Jordi Alba (Barcelona), Jose Gaya (Valencia) Cesar Azpilicueta (Chelsea)
Midfielders: Sergio Busquets (Barcelona) Rodri (Manchester City),
Thiago Alcantara (Liverpool), Pedri López (Barcelona), Marcos Llorente (Atletico Madrid), Koke (Atletico Madrid), Fabian Ruiz (Napoli)
Forwards: Gerard Moreno (Villarreal), Ferran Torres (Manchester City), Mikel Oyarzabal (Real Sociedad), Alvaro Morata (Juventus), Dani Olmo (RB Leipzig), Pablo Sarabia (Paris Saint-Germain), Adama Traore (Wolves)
Strengths
Midfield: With a three of Thiago, Koke and Rodri Spain are likely to dominate the midfield against any opposition. The trio will help Luis Enrique’s side stay on the front foot for majority of the 90 minutes. Not only that Spain also have the likes of Sergio Busquets and Pedri waiting on the bench.
Inform Gerrard Moreno: Since the retirement of David Villa and Fernando Torres, Spain have struggled to find a reliable goalscorer to turn their possession into goals. Hopefully that will change with the emergence of Villareal striker Gerrard Moreno. The 29-year-old scored 30 goals this season and led Villareal to their first ever European trophy.
Weakness
Unfamiliar Defence:
Since Enrique excluded Sergio Ramos from the squad, Aymeric Laporte and Pau Torres are likely to start as centre backs. While both are quality players, Torres is 24 years old with only seven appearances for Spain, and Laporte is joining the team for the first time after spending his junior international career with France. How they will deal with the unfamiliarity is the big question.