Spain enter the 2020 European Championships with every chance of collecting a third title in the last four Euros.
The 2008 and 2012 winners have a different feel to their squad this time around but they remain a threat to the rest of Europe. Spain will hope Euro 2020 is their time to become Kings once again.
Luis Enrique is gearing up for his first major tournament and is rallying his troops for a big summer ahead.
The team at Last Word on Football has put together a country profile so that you can have the complete rundown ahead of the competition kicking off in June.
Everything You Need to Know About Spain Ahead of the Euros
Who is the Spain National Coach?
Having represented Spain 62 times during his career, Luis Enrique knows all about the pressures and honour of playing for Spain. He is gearing up for his first major tournament as he targets a first trophy at international level.
Enrique has been successful in club management, winning nine trophies while in charge of Barcelona. Amongst his honours are two La Liga titles and a Champions League trophy.
This is Enrique’s second spell in charge of the Spanish national side having had a year in charge between 2018 and 2019. He quit in June 2019, citing personal reasons but returned to the role just five months later.
A serial winner as a player and club manager, Enrique certainly has a winning mentality and he will be as determined as ever to lead his country to glory.
Who Has Been Selected in the Spain Squad for Euro 2020?
Luis Enrique has named a squad with plenty of experience, talent and quality.
There is real quality across all areas of the Spain squad including the goalkeeping department. Manchester United’s David De Gea currently holds the one number jersey but Enrique has called up Brighton & Hove Albion’s Robert Sanchez who sparkled in the Premier League this season.
Another big plus for Enrique was the news that Aymeric Laporte has decided to represent Spain. The Manchester City defender was not called up by France and decided to pledge his allegiance to Spain. Enrique wasted no time calling up the Premier League winner.
GK – David De Gea (Manchester United), Robert Sanchez (Brighton & Hove Albion), Unai Simon (Athletic Bilbao)
Defenders – Cesar Azpilicueta (Chelsea), Diego Llorente (Leeds United), Pau Torres (Villarreal), Eric Garcia (Barcelona), Jose Gaya (Valencia), Jordi Alaba (Barcelona), Aymeric Laporte (Manchester City)
Midfielders – Sergio Busquets (Barcelona), Marcos Llorente (Atletico Madrid), Koke (Atletico Madrid), Thiago Alcantara (Liverpool), Ferran Torres (Manchester City), Rodri (Manchester City), Fabian Ruiz (Napoli), Dani Olmo (RB Leipzig), Adama Traore (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Pablo Sarabia (Paris Saint-Germain)
Forwards – Alvaro Morata (Juventus), Gerard Moreno (Villarreal), Mikel Oyarzabal (Real Sociedad), Pedri (Barcelona)
Sergio Ramos Omitted From Spain Euro 2020 Squad After Injury Hit Campaign
Perhaps the biggest omission from Luis Enrique’s squad is Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos. Ramos has endured an injury hit campaign and has failed to make the last three Spain squads.
Ramos, 35, has made just seven appearances in 2021 and only one since the end of March. A tough campaign meant he misses out on what potentially would have been his final international tournament.
His long time international partner Gerard Pique also misses out with injury.
The defence will be a cause for concern but Spain certainly have plenty of quality to the fill the void. The likes of Pau Torres and Diego Llorente have enjoyed excellent seasons at club level and can make the necessary step up.
Group Stage Fixtures
Spain face a potentially tricky Group stage but they are favourites to progress out of Group E.
Luis Enrique’s men face potential banana skin fixtures against Sweden, Poland and Slovakia. All three sides have players that can win football matches and all have the quality to frustrate Spain. Luis Enrique will want his side to stay focused on the tasks ahead.
Spain v Sweden – June 14, 8pm BST
Spain v Poland – June 19, 8pm BST
Slovakia v Spain – June 23, 5pm BST
Main Photo
Embed from Getty Images
