Mata And Llorente In Spain Squad

Vicente del Bosque has called up Juan Mata and Fernando Llorente for the friendly international with Chile next week as he looks to continue testing players early in his reign.

Valencia's David Villa celebrated with Juan Mata after the latter's goal against Barcelona.

Spain coach Vicente del Bosque was unable to call up Andrés Iniesta for the Chile match because of injury, and opted to let Fernando Torres continue to recover with Liverpool, while Andoni Iraola, Fernando Navarro and Diego Capel have all been left out.

Despite the changes, Del Bosque has explained that nobody has been dropped or left out permanently and that he is using each friendly to try different things.

"We want to take this chance to have a closer look at (Juan Mata). He is a player who is in good form, an Under-21 player, and we think that this is a good time to move him up," the coach was quoted as saying by Marca.

More surprising was the inclusion of Llorente as the Athletic Bilbao player's style is not what Spain have been accustomed too, but Del Bosque wants to have other tactics available.

"There were several options and I have chosen him because he is also playing well," he continued.

"We have plenty of cover, but both (Fernando) Torres and (Dani) Güiza have had knocks recently so we thought Llorente would give us something extra.

"Besides, he deserves it for having such a good season and he will give us an alternative to try."

Del Bosque was keen to explain that he did not want to push Torres back into action after only just recovering from a knock that he suffered on international duty last month.

"We have to take care of Torres. We are not going to force anyone to come and make them play when they are not fit," he added.

"He played for Liverpool this week and therefore could have joined us, but we want to ensure that nothing happens."

Goalkeepers: Iker Casillas, José Manuel Reina

Defenders: Raúl Albiol, Álvaro Arbeloa, Joan Capdevila, Juanito, Carlos Marchena, Carles Puyol, Sergio Ramos

Midfielders: Xabi Alonso, Santi Cazorla, Cesc Fábregas, Xavi Hernández, Juan Manuel Mata, Albert Riera, Marcos Senna

Forwards: Dani Güiza, Fernando Llorente, Fernando Torres, David Villa

Lucas Brown, Goal.com

Thank you for your comment!
Please enter your name
Please enter your location
Please share your comment!
Comments
19 Comments
 
Advertisement
play pause open close
Inside Goal.Com
  1. Capello-Terry debacle won't be the last FA scandal Capello-Terry debacle won't be the last FA scandal

    Keir Radnedge takes a trip down memory lane and concludes that the FA will continue to frustrate friend and foe alike following the England manager's resignation

  2. Player Ratings: Osasuna 3-2 Barcelona Player Ratings: Osasuna 3-2 Barcelona

    Goal.com rates the players on show as Pep Guardiola's side suffer another away set back in La Liga at the hands of Jose Luis Mendilibar's men

  3. Player Ratings: Udinese 1-2 AC Milan Player Ratings: Udinese 1-2 AC Milan

    Substitute Maxi Lopez provided a winning cameo to lift Allegri's men to a comeback win just when it appeared they'd lose second spot to the Zebrette

  4. Player Ratings: Manchester United 2-1 Liverpool Player Ratings: Manchester United 2-1 Liverpool

    Wayne Rooney double sends hosts top as Luis Suarez scores at Old Trafford after snubbing Evra handshake

  5. Player Ratings: Sunderland 1-2 Arsenal Player Ratings: Sunderland 1-2 Arsenal

    Thierry Henry comes off the bench to mark Premier League farewell in style with dramatic late winner to complete impressive fightback against Martin O'Neill's side

 
Advertisement
Advertisement