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Tag: Spain

  • Lewandowski deny Spain first Euro 2020 win

    Lewandowski deny Spain first Euro 2020 win

    Robert Lewandowski scored his first goal of Euro 2020 as Poland held Spain to keep alive their hopes of reaching the knockouts.

    Poland knew that a defeat would mean they could not progress from Group E and they fell behind towards the end of the first half when Alvaro Morata’s close-range finish was given by VAR after initially being ruled out for offside.

    But Lewandowski, who had struggled to make an impact in Poland’s opening-game defeat to Slovakia, equalised early in the second half when he thumped home a header.

    Spain had the chance to retake the lead soon after with a penalty, awarded by referee Daniele Orsato after he had checked a challenge on Gerard Moreno on the pitchside monitor, but Moreno compounded to slam his effort against the post before Morata sent the follow-up wide.

    Manchester City forward Ferran Torres headed wide as Spain pushed in the closing stages, while Morata was denied from point-blank range by Poland goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny late on.

    But too often their play was predictable and lacking in urgency and the draw means the three-time European champions are still without a win at Euro 2020 after they were held to a goalless draw by Sweden in their opener.

    Spain are third in Group E with two points, with Slovakia second on three and Sweden top with four. Luis Enrique’s side play Slovakia in their final group game on Wednesday while Poland take on Sweden at the same time.

  • I hate modern football – Alcantara

    I hate modern football – Alcantara

    Liverpool midfielder Thiago Alcantara says he hates modern football and believes VAR is damaging the game.

    The use of video technology to assist referees has proved controversial in football, causing long delays while officials review footage before coming to a decision on goals and fouls.

    Spain international Thiago, who is currently with his national team at Euro 2020, says he has always been against the use of VAR and feels it is an example of football losing its way.

    “Coaches can communicate with us better, players can communicate with each other more,” the 30-year-old said, as quoted by the Guardian .

    “You lose competitiveness but develop other aspects. Extra substitutions mean teams that defend, defend to the 90th minute; teams that press you, press you to the end.

    “I have that ‘hate modern football’ mentality; I’m more classic in attitude. And then there’s VAR, which I’ve always opposed. It removes the essence, the picaresque.

    “We make mistakes when we play, referees have to make mistakes too. Lots of mythical moments wouldn’t exist [with VAR]. And when you score, even a brilliant goal from the halfway line, you’re waiting. Thinking: ‘I hope there isn’t a foul in the build-up, I hope there’s no offside, I hope’.”

  • I don’t know why offer expired at Madrid – Ramos

    I don’t know why offer expired at Madrid – Ramos

    Departing Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos says he hasn’t made a decision about his next move.

    Ramos leaves Real Madrid after 16 years with the club as his contract expires this month.

    He said at his farewell media conference today: “We have not thought of any team. As of January, which I am free, there have been some other calls. But at no time have we had in mind to leave Real Madrid.

    “From now on we will look for a solution. To this day I do not contemplate the idea of Sevilla. Barça? It is a resounding no, like the new Bernabéu when it was grown.”

    On Real’s contract offer, Ramos added: “I don’t know if it has been a priority. The club has its own, it will plan … There is no player who is above the entity. I don’t know what priorities the club has.

    “I do not know the reasons why the offer expires. Within a negotiation period I understand that what was asked at the beginning was one thing and what is asked at the end is another. I suppose I misinterpreted it.”

  • Euro 2020: Spain unable to break stubborn Sweden

    Euro 2020: Spain unable to break stubborn Sweden

    Spain endured a frustrating opening game in Euro 2020 as they failed to make their near total dominance pay against a rigid and stubborn Sweden in Seville.

    Luis Enrique’s side had the vast majority of possession and territory in the match, which at times resembled a session of attack versus defence, but were unable to take advantage of the good opportunities their build-up play yielded.

    The best fell to Alvaro Morata, who was allowed in on goal by a fluffed attempted clearance from Marcus Danielson but side-footed his shot wide.

    Dani Olmo also saw a close-range header tipped round the post by Swedish goalkeeper Robin Olsen, and Koke sliced an effort off target from inside the box.

    Sweden’s best chance fell to La Liga’s young player of the year Alexander Isak, who muscled his way in for a shot that deflected off a Spanish defender, hit the post and looped straight to grateful keeper Unai Simon.

    Isak also fashioned a great opportunity for partner Marcus Berg, who somehow managed to steer a shot from near point-blank range wide at the back post.

    The result will do little to lift the downbeat mood of some of the Spanish public, who have seen the preparations of their national side overshadowed by the fallout of positive Covid-19 tests for two players and squad selection controversy.

    The draw in Seville means Slovakia have the early advantage in Group E courtesy of their surprise 2-1 win over Poland earlier on Monday.

  • Why I did not include Sergio Ramos in Euros squad – Enrique

    Why I did not include Sergio Ramos in Euros squad – Enrique

    Spain coach Luis Enrique has explained why he’s left Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos out of his final Euros squad.

    Enrique explained the decision this morning at a media conference as he discussed his choices. The former Barcelona coach says he couldn’t consider Ramos given his lack of games and even training sessions with Real Madrid since the New Year.

    Enrique admits he called Ramos personally to explain the decision and insists he found it a difficult decision to make.

  • FIFA approve Man City defender commitment to Spain

    FIFA approve Man City defender commitment to Spain

    Manchester City defender Aymeric Laporte has had his switch in nationality from France to Spain approved by Fifa.

    The 26-year-old was granted Spanish citizenship earlier in the week and can now play for the country at Euro 2020 this summer.

    Laporte has played for France’s youth teams but has not made an appearance for the country’s senior team.

    A Fifa statement said he could play for Spain with “immediate effect”.

    Laporte, who was born in France, joined City for a then club-record £57m in January 2018 from Spanish side Athletic Bilbao.

    Last year, Fifa’s annual congress approved a rule change which meant players could switch countries if they had not played more than three matches for a country before the age of 21 and had not featured at a World Cup or continental tournament.

  • They lied about me at Sevilla – Sergio Ramos

    They lied about me at Sevilla – Sergio Ramos

    Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos admits it was difficult leaving Sevilla.

    The current Real Madrid and Spain captain departed his boyhood club to join Los Blancos in 2005, but an explanation for the move was never offered, leading to speculation and allowing false stories to spread.

    “I know what Sevilla is and how the fans feel,” Ramos said in his documentary. “Nobody can tell me, because I’ve experienced it since I was young.

    “All of the information was manipulated, and they lied to Sevilla. It was painful, not only for me but for my family. I’ll never forgive them for the pain my grandparents went through, for my parents, who cannot return to Sevilla’s stadium.

    “It’s the biggest pain that I’ve felt. That’s why I’ve acted with rage and with anger when I’ve played and scored there, because of everything my family have suffered.”

    Despite the problems that came from his move, Ramos has no regrets about the decision he made.

    “I’d make the same decision a thousand times over, but I’d never let anyone tell the story that was told at the time,” Ramos said.

    “To this day I can always say that I’ve played for Sevilla and that I’ll always be a Sevilla player until I die, but I can also say proudly that I’m Real Madrid and Spain captain.”

  • I’m very proud of the team’s attitude – Spain coach

    I’m very proud of the team’s attitude – Spain coach

    Spain coach Luis Enrique says he’s happy with his players ahead of their second World Cup qualifier.

    Spain face Georgia on Sunday in their second World Cup 2022 qualifier. They drew 1-1 with Greece on Thursday in the opening game.

    Luis Enrique has spoken to the media ahead of the clash to offer his thoughts about the situation in Group B.

    “I am very proud of the team’s attitude,” said the former Barca coach. “It’s the best game of my career defensively speaking, as a coach.

    “Greece did not create a single chance against us. It’s true that we have to improve our attack against a very defensive team, but it wasn’t easy at Barca with the trident (Messi, Neymar, Suarez), so…”

    The coach believes in his team’s quality.

    “There’s no formula or a pill to find inspiration,” he said. “I’m calm because we have quality and we recognise the situations increasingly with more clarity. We’re not pessimistic, we’re close to getting both phases (of play). If there’s a pharmacy where they sell these pills, I want two bottles.”

  • No-one can question Sergio Busquets – Alcantara

    No-one can question Sergio Busquets – Alcantara

    Liverpool midfielder Thiago Alcantara insists Barcelona ace Sergio Busquets shouldn’t be questioned.

    Thiago is a great admirer of Busquets and has expressed as much again. They are together in the Spain camp at the moment.

    “You always open the debate and for me there is none,” said Thiago. “I always say it, with time you watch football and become more analytical. While Busquets is at Barca, Barca will always work. He’s a great professional, you see him training and you learn from him.

    “I’m nobody to cast doubts, only to congratulate him and keep taking advantage of when we are together.”

  • Spain’s ‘new breed’ ready to kick off World Cup campaign

    Spain’s ‘new breed’ ready to kick off World Cup campaign

    Spain kick off their campaign to qualify for the 2022 World Cup finals in Qatar on Thursday night with a new breed of players looking to make their mark.

    Only six of the 24-man squad named by coach Luis Enrique for the forthcoming matches against Greece, Georgia and Kosovo formed part of the ill-fated expedition to the 2018 finals.

    That trip to Russia was marked by the sacking of coach Julen Lopetegui on the eve of the tournament.

    Goalkeeper David de Gea, Sergio Ramos, Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba, Koke and Thiago Alcantara are the survivors in a virtually unrecognisable squad from three years ago.

    But Enrique (and for a while Roberto Moreno) has rang the changes.

    Although De Gea forms part of the squad, Athletic Club Bilbao’s 23-year-old Unai Simon is likely to start in goal against Greece on Thursday night.

    Enrique has shown his faith in youths by calling up FC Barcelona’s 18-year-old Pedri, along with 21-year-old Pedro Porro, who is on loan at Sporting club de Portugal from Manchester City.

    Bryan Gil, the 20-year-old who is on loan at Eibar from Sevilla, has also earned his place.

    Robert Sanchez, a 23-year-old goalkeeper, was a surprise call-up after performing magnificently for Brighton.

    Alba, Ramos and Busquets will still form the backbone of the Spain side, with Ramos’ 178 caps, 120 for Busquets and 70 for Alba, giving them a wealth of experience.

    That experience will be vital to given that Unai Simon has only played for his country four times.

    Eric Garcia has three caps, Diego Llorente six, Dani Olmo eight and Ferran Torres seven.

    Enrique has shown he is not afraid to look beyond Spain’s borders with Garcia, Torres, Llorente all playing in England.

    Porro is currently plying his trade in Portugal and Olmo plays in Germany.

    Only four squad members are aged over 30 (Ramos, Alba, Busquets and Sergio Canales).

    In contrast, the fact that nine players under Enrique’s orders these days are aged 23 or under implies a positive future for Spain after the disappointments of 2018.