Livin' La Vida Roja (The Spanish Squad vs. Macedonia and France): ontd_football

Shortly after Xabi's press conference, another press conference was held in Spain. This time it's for the Spain NT call-ups! With the retirement of Arbeloa, Villa, Xavi and Xabi this year, Del Bosque will be calling in some new blood for La Roja (~~four~~ five in particular!). Once the team qualifies, they will be defending their 2012 title at the 2016 Euros in France.

GOALKEEPERS

Iker Casillas (Real Madrid)

David De Gea (Manchester United)

Kiko Casilla (RCD Espanyol) - his first call-up to the senior team

DEFENDERS

Dani Carvajal (Real Madrid) - his first call-up to the senior team

Juanfran (Atletico Madrid)

Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid)

Mikel San Jose (Athletic Bilbao) - his first call-up to the senior team

Raul Albiol (Napoli)

Marc Bartra (FC Barcelona)

Jordi Alba (FC Barcelona)

Cesar Azpilicueta (Chelsea)

MIDFIELDERS

Sergio Busquets (FC Barcelona)

Santi Cazorla (Arsenal)

Cesc Fabregas (Chelsea)

Ander Iturraspe (Athletic Bilbao)

Isco (Real Madrid)

David Silva (Manchester City)

Andres Iniesta (FC Barcelona)

Koke (Atletico Madrid)

Raul Garcia (Atletico Madrid) - his first call-up to the senior team

Pedro Rodriguez (FC Barcelona) - he's a forward but he's placed as a midfielder

FORWARDS

Diego Costa (Chelsea)

Paco Alcacer (Valencia) - his first call-up to the senior team

Some notable exclusions from the squad include Reina, Pique (he's fit but Del Bosque wants him FULLY fit), Mata, Herrera (due to injury), Martinez (due to injury), and Torres.

In the same conference, the U-21 squad was also announced: Kepa, Ruben Blanco, Pacheco, Muniain, Saul Niguez, Sergi Roberto, Munir, Bernat, Jony Castro, Sergi Gomez, Insua, Sarabia, Alberto Moreno, Manquillo, Ayoze, Oliver, Ruben Pardo, Denis, Deulofeu, Muniesa and Amat.

Don't think he named a captain yet but most likely, it's Iker Casillas. Vice captain will either be Sergio Ramos or Andres Iniesta. Most likely Sergio as he's the second-most capped player on the squad. Iniesta is also possible so it's not an "RM dictatorship" (as the Iker/Puyol and Iker/Xavi past partnerships have suggested.) Unless otherwise stated in another article, Seriker will be leading the squad with Iker as captain and Sergio as vice.

Their friendly vs. France will be on September 4 while their Euro qualifying match vs. Macedonia will be on September 8. This is only the squad for these two matches so things could still change for their matches vs. Slovakia (October 9,), vs. Luxembourg (October 12), vs. Belarus (November 16), and vs. Ukraine (March 27).

[la salsa]

** Edited with corrections and additional info!

Livin' La Vida Roja (The Spanish Squad vs. Macedonia and France)

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