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Fernando Torres left out of Spain squad for Uruguay friendly
Feb 1, 2013 12:50:00 PM
The reigning European champions lock horns with the 2010 World Cup semi-finalists next week, but the Chelsea striker will have to watch the game from home
Spain coach Vicente del Bosque has omitted Chelsea attacker Fernando Torres from his squad for the upcoming international friendly against Uruguay on February 6.The former Liverpool man has been in appalling form for the Blues of late, and was also not part of the group who faced Panama in November.
The successful trainer has also left out Swansea forward Michu, who was expected to make the team following his impressive performances in the Premier League, while Bayern Munich's Javi Martinez did not make the cut either.
Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas misses out due to injury, with Liverpool's Pepe Reina taking his place in the squad.
Chelsea wing-back Cesar Azpilicueta and Malaga sensation Isco are both in line to make their Spain debut after receiving an call-up for next week's encounter.
Gerard Pique, Carles Puyol, Xavi and Xabi Alonso all return to the fold after missing the European champions' previous game due to injury.
The squad in full to face Uruguay:
| Name | Club |
| Goalkeepers: | |
| Victor Valdes | Barcelona |
| Jose Manuel Reina | Liverpool |
| Defenders: | |
| Gerard Pique | Barcelona |
| Sergio Ramos | Real Madrid |
| Carles Puyol | Barcelona |
| Cesar Azpilicueta | Chelsea |
| Jordi Alba | Barcelona |
| Alvaro Arbeloa | Real Madrid |
| Nacho Monreal | Arsenal |
| Midfielders | |
| Andres Iniesta | Barcelona |
| Cesc Fabregas | Barcelona |
| Sergio Busquets | Barcelona |
| Santi Cazorla | Arsenal |
| Xavi | Barcelona |
| Isco | Malaga |
| Xabi Alonso | Real Madrid |
| Attackers: | |
| David Villa | Barcelona |
| David Silva | Manchester City |
| Alvaro Negredo | Sevilla |
| Pedro | Barcelona |
| Juan Mata | Chelsea |
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Live!
Champions League final - LIVE!
German giants Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund will battle it out at Wembley for European glory. Get involved by sending us your thoughts via Twitter or Facebook! Hosted by Mark Doyle.
7:07 PM BST
A cracking question here from Adam Scime, who has provoked an even better response out of Carlo, which I'll have to split in two!
@Scime_Live: Does Germany deserve four CL places?
CG: Germany were granted four Champions League places at the end of the 2010-11 season, which led to Italy losing one spot. This came into effect at the start of the 2012-13 campaign.
When Italy lost their place, their Champions League record was so far superior to Germany whether you looked at the last two,three,five,10,20 or 30 years. Serie A boasted two of the previous four winners of the competition, whereas the Bundesliga hadn't won a European trophy of any sort since 2001 ...
@Scime_Live: Does Germany deserve four CL places?
CG: Germany were granted four Champions League places at the end of the 2010-11 season, which led to Italy losing one spot. This came into effect at the start of the 2012-13 campaign.
When Italy lost their place, their Champions League record was so far superior to Germany whether you looked at the last two,three,five,10,20 or 30 years. Serie A boasted two of the previous four winners of the competition, whereas the Bundesliga hadn't won a European trophy of any sort since 2001 ...
7:04 PM BST
Carlo's finally been asked to put his neck on the line in our Twitter Q&A ...
@jagger_jagz: Who do you tip to win #UCL final?
CG: Bayern are clearly the favourites on paper. Individually and collectively they have the advantage, plus they have won two and drawn two out of their four meetings this season, so psychologically have the edge.
But, anything can happen in finals. The first goal will be crucial. If Bayern break the deadlock, it is hard to see them losing as they are so good at strangling the game and picking teams off. If Dortmund are to spring a surprise, I think they have to score first. If they manage that, then it will be interesting to see how Bayern react. They have developed a reputation as a team who bottle it on the big stage and fall at the final hurdle. Mentally, they seem a different proposition this year but falling behind could bring back all their bad memories and prove fatal.
@jagger_jagz: Who do you tip to win #UCL final?
CG: Bayern are clearly the favourites on paper. Individually and collectively they have the advantage, plus they have won two and drawn two out of their four meetings this season, so psychologically have the edge.
But, anything can happen in finals. The first goal will be crucial. If Bayern break the deadlock, it is hard to see them losing as they are so good at strangling the game and picking teams off. If Dortmund are to spring a surprise, I think they have to score first. If they manage that, then it will be interesting to see how Bayern react. They have developed a reputation as a team who bottle it on the big stage and fall at the final hurdle. Mentally, they seem a different proposition this year but falling behind could bring back all their bad memories and prove fatal.
7:01 PM BST
An interesting one here from a concerned Barceloan fan - or perhaps it's Cristiano Ronaldo in disguise.
@messixaviesta: Do you think the team that wins this final will provide the 2013 Ballon d'Or winner or it will once again go to Messi?
CG: As we are in an odd-number year, with no World Cup or European Championship, it is certain that the victor of the Ballon D'Or will be an individual who stars solely for their club team. As a result, a Champions League winner has as good a chance as anyone to pick up the prestigious prize.
The gong usually goes to a midfielder or attacker, so my money would be on Franck Ribery if Bayern win the Champions League as he is the kind of player voters usually go for. Having said that, as Bayern and Dortmund are such outstanding 'teams', their inividuals aren't always in the spotlight like a Messi or Ronaldo, so that could count against them.
@messixaviesta: Do you think the team that wins this final will provide the 2013 Ballon d'Or winner or it will once again go to Messi?
CG: As we are in an odd-number year, with no World Cup or European Championship, it is certain that the victor of the Ballon D'Or will be an individual who stars solely for their club team. As a result, a Champions League winner has as good a chance as anyone to pick up the prestigious prize.
The gong usually goes to a midfielder or attacker, so my money would be on Franck Ribery if Bayern win the Champions League as he is the kind of player voters usually go for. Having said that, as Bayern and Dortmund are such outstanding 'teams', their inividuals aren't always in the spotlight like a Messi or Ronaldo, so that could count against them.
6:59 PM BST
Carlo is positively flying through your questions on Twitter, so still time to get in touch.
@Austeenite 2m: Who is the best defender in this season's UCL?
CG: We are living in an era where you can count on one hand the number of top quality defenders. In truth, very few stoppers impress me anymore. Thiago Silva is the best defender in the world, and was absolutely brilliant in the quarter final against Barcelona. But if there is one defender who has emerged this term it is probably Dante from Bayern. He has been a monster, and the ease with which he nullified the attacks of Juventus and Barcelona - even if the former is nothing to sing and dance about - was a head-turner. I'm looking forward to his battle with Lewandowski tonight.
@Austeenite 2m: Who is the best defender in this season's UCL?
CG: We are living in an era where you can count on one hand the number of top quality defenders. In truth, very few stoppers impress me anymore. Thiago Silva is the best defender in the world, and was absolutely brilliant in the quarter final against Barcelona. But if there is one defender who has emerged this term it is probably Dante from Bayern. He has been a monster, and the ease with which he nullified the attacks of Juventus and Barcelona - even if the former is nothing to sing and dance about - was a head-turner. I'm looking forward to his battle with Lewandowski tonight.
6:56 PM BST
More from our Q&A with Carlo Garganese:
@CazorlaAFC007: Are we looking at the best two teams in Europe?
CG: Certainly these have been the two best teams in Europe this season. They have proven that by progressing all the way to the final, and what is more they have defeated top quality opponents along the way. Bayern have smashed an outstanding Juventus side and the fabled Barcelona, while Dortmund qualified from a group containing the champions of Spain, England and Netherlands before seeing off a superb Shakhtar team and then Mourinho's Real Madrid again.
It takes more than one season to prove you are the best two teams in Europe though, and Dortmund will surely decline a touch when they lose Gotze and Lewandowski, but this season at least they have been the top two.
@CazorlaAFC007: Are we looking at the best two teams in Europe?
CG: Certainly these have been the two best teams in Europe this season. They have proven that by progressing all the way to the final, and what is more they have defeated top quality opponents along the way. Bayern have smashed an outstanding Juventus side and the fabled Barcelona, while Dortmund qualified from a group containing the champions of Spain, England and Netherlands before seeing off a superb Shakhtar team and then Mourinho's Real Madrid again.
It takes more than one season to prove you are the best two teams in Europe though, and Dortmund will surely decline a touch when they lose Gotze and Lewandowski, but this season at least they have been the top two.
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