Del Bosque makes changes in Spain squad

Madrid, March 21: Spain football coach Vicente del Bosque produced a few surprises when he med his squad for the 2016 European Championship qualifying tie against Ukraine in Seville’s Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium.

The biggest surprise on Friday was his decision to call Villarreal goalkeeper Sergio Asenjo into his squad at the expense of Espanyol’s Kiko Casilla, reports Xinhua.

Del Bosque has also handed a debut call-up to Sevilla’s in-form attacking midfielder Vitolo, Juventus striker Alvaro Morata and Athletic Club Bilbao’s Mikel San Jose, who can play either in central defence or central midfield.

Spain regulars David Silva and Cesc Fabrigas, who both missed the last intertiol game through injury, also return to the squad. Bruno Soriano, Ander Iturraspe and Javi Martinez are all out injured.

Del Bosque explained that Vitolo received his call-up because “he has improved, he is playing well for Sevilla and he could be very useful for us on the left”.

Squad:

Goalkeepers: Iker Casillas, David De Gea, Sergio Asenjo

Defenders: Dani Carvajal, Juanfran Torres, Gerard Pique, Marc Bartra, Sergio Ramos, Raul Albiol, Jordi Alba, Bert

Midfielders: Andres Iniesta, Mario Suarez, Sergio Busquets, Mikel San Jose, Vitolo, Koke, Santi Cazorla, David Silva, Cesc Fabrigas, Isco

Strikers: Diego Costa, Pedro Rodriguez, Alvaro Morata. IANS