Synopsis
Spain's national team coach Luis de la Fuente has welcomed back Unai Simon from Athletic Bilbao for the UEFA Nations League quarterfinals against the Netherlands. Simon, a key player during the last European Championship, returns after injury. Young defender Raul Asencio from Real Madrid also receives his debut call-up.Key Takeaways
- Unai Simon returns to the national squad.
- Raul Asencio earns his first call-up.
- Spain faces the Netherlands in the UEFA Nations League.
- Simon previously played 46 matches for Spain.
- Inigo Martinez is also back in the squad.
Madrid (Spain), March 14 (NationPress) - The head coach of the Spain national team, Luis de la Fuente, has reintroduced Athletic Bilbao goalkeeper Unai Simon to the lineup for the upcoming UEFA Nations League quarterfinal matches against the Netherlands. Simon, who has represented Spain 46 times, was the top choice during last summer’s victorious European Championship despite dealing with a wrist injury.
After undergoing surgery to address the injury, he was sidelined for the first four months of the season and missed De la Fuente's last three selections. However, following his return to play in December, the coach seized the opportunity to reintegrate him, according to reports from Xinhua.
The squad features seven players from FC Barcelona, and central defender Inigo Martinez has also been reinstated. The lineup includes Pau Cubarsi, Marc Casado, Pedri, Ferran Torres, Lamine Yamal, and Dani Olmo. Inigo Martinez has had a significant career with Real Sociedad, making 238 appearances (scoring 17 goals) before signing with Athletic Bilbao in January 2018, where he won the 2020-21 Supercopa de España and reached two Copa del Rey finals.
Meanwhile, Raul Asencio, a young defender from Real Madrid, has received his first call-up after establishing himself in the team this year, although he is the sole representative from Real Madrid among the 27 chosen players. Asencio is noted for his promising defensive skills, having made his La Liga debut for Real Madrid on November 9, 2024, as a substitute in a 4-0 win against Osasuna.
Full squad:
Goalkeepers: Unai Simon, David Raya, Alex Remiro
Defenders: Pedro Porro, Oscar Mingueza, Robin le Normand, Pau Cubarsi, Inigo Martinez, Raul Asencio, Alejandro Grimaldo, Marc Cucurella
Midfielders: Martin Zubimendi, Marc Casado, Fabian Ruiz, Mikel Merino, Pedri, Alex Baena
Forwards: Lamine Yamal, Nico Williams, Ferran Torres, Yeremy Pino, Dani Olmo, Ayoze Perez, Bryan Zaragoza, Samuel Aghehowa, Mikel Oyarzabal, Alvaro Morata.
