Del Bosque calls up youngsters as cover
Reuters - Thursday 25 August 2011, 15:43
MADRID - Spain coach Vicente del Bosque
addressed a raft of injuries to defenders by calling three
Under-21 players into the senior squad for a friendly against
Chile and a Euro 2012 qualifier against Liechtenstein.
Alberto Botia (Sporting Gijon), Alvaro Dominguez (Atletico
Madrid) and Martin Montoya (Barcelona) had been tapped to cover
injuries to players including central defenders Carles Puyol and
Gerard Pique, Del Bosque said at a news conference.
There was no place for veteran defenders and 2010 World Cup
winners Joan Capdevila and Carlos Marchena, though Del Bosque
said he did not rule out recalling them in the future.
"There are a few new faces on the list but this doesn't mean
we will eliminate anyone from future squads," the former Real
Madrid coach said.
"We have chosen this occasion to bring in some young lads
and we'll have a chance to look at them more closely."
Spain play Chile, who they beat in the group phase at last
year's World Cup finals, in Geneva on September 2 and entertain
Liechtenstein in Logrono four days later.
The world and European champions top qualification Group I
with five wins from five, six points ahead of second-placed
Czech Republic.
Montoya's surprise selection even wrongfooted Barca coach
Pep Guardiola as the 20-year-old rarely gets a game for the
club's first team.
"A reserve player being called up to the national team is a
very pleasant surprise," Guardiola said at a news conference
ahead of Friday's European Super Cup match against Porto.
"I
know that they'll treat him well and he won't feel alone."