Spanish players Sergio Ramos (R) and Andres Iniesta during a news conference ahead Euro 2016 qualifier against Ukraine in Seville yestreday. (Reuters)
AFP/Seville
A rejuvenated Spain recommence their Euro 2016 qualifying campaign at home to Ukraine in Seville today, while the prospect of seeing Harry Kane make his debut is the main attraction as England face Lithuania.
In their first outing since a 1-0 friendly loss to Germany in November, reigning European champions Spain put their record of never having lost at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan stadium on the line as they
face Ukraine in qualifying Group C.
Vicente del Bosque’s side are second in the group after four games, three points behind Slovakia, who beat Spain in
October.
Del Bosque is overseeing a period of transition following last year’s World Cup disaster and his latest squad features the likes of Athletic Bilbao defender Mikel San Jose, Sevilla winger Vitolo and Malaga forward Juanmi, who replaces the injured Diego Costa.
“Being called up is already a success. But I want to make my debut,” said winger Vitolo, a native of Gran Canaria who is proving a big hit with Sevilla this season.
“The Sanchez Pizjuan is my home and it would be great to make my debut there, in front of my fans.”
With the top two in each group qualifying automatically for next year’s finals in France, Spain and Ukraine are level on nine points in Group C, three points behind leaders Slovakia, who host Luxembourg.
Alvaro Morata is likely to feature up front for Spain in Seville, coach Vicente del Bosque.
Morata is the obvious choice in the striker’s role for the European champions following the withdrawal due to injury of Diego Costa as second-placed Spain look to maintain pressure on Group C leaders Slovakia.
“We have been training with all the players we have, we have deployed them in the positions they are going to play and we have a lot of expectations of Morata,” Del Bosque told a news conference ahead of the game at Sevilla’s Sanchez Pizjuan stadium.
“It has been positive that he has enriched himself by moving abroad and it is good that he has had playing time (at Juve),” Del Bosque added. Morata joined the Italian champions from Real Madrid in the close season after breaking into Real’s first team from the youth ranks but finding his playing time limited.
The 22-year-old, who has scored seven goals in 22 Serie A appearances this term for the Italian champions, is competing for a place up front with the likes of Barcelona’s Pedro and Malaga’s Juanmi.
Cesc Fabregas, who plays in midfield for Chelsea but has often been drafted in as an extra striker for his country, is another option.
Morata was given strong backing by Spain team mates Sergio Ramos and Andres
Iniesta.
“He deserves to be here,” Real centre back Ramos said.
“He is a forward who stirs things up, who looks for the spaces, who moves well up front and he gives the national team a very good alternative.”
Barcelona playmaker Iniesta added: “We all know Alvaro’s quality. He is really playing well and that’s why he is here with us.
“He is a born goalscorer, he is always pushing the limit of offside and his precision and movement make your job easier.”
With four matches played, Spain are second in Group C on nine points, three behind Slovakia, who beat them 2-1 in Zilina in October, and level with Ukraine.
Spain host Slovakia in September in a match that may decide who secures a place at the tournament in France as group winners.
Robben missing for Dutch
There is plenty at stake elsewhere this weekend, with the Netherlands taking on Turkey in Group A as both sides trail behind leading duo the Czech Republic and Iceland.
The Dutch are chasing a 20th consecutive home win in a competitive game but must do without the injured Arjen Robben.
After an unbeaten start in Group B, Wales can go top with a win in Israel.
“Obviously we’ve put ourselves in a great position after four games,” Wales midfielder Joe Allen told the BBC.
“When you think of the strength of Belgium and Bosnia and to currently be ahead of them is a great achievement. But there’s still so much more to be done.”
Elsewhere in that group, Bosnia play their first match under Mehmed Bazdarevic when they go to Andorra, who have lost their last 48 competitive games.
Serbia have a new coach too, with Dick Advocaat’s successor Radovan Curcic leading the team in a competitive game for the first time on their trip to Portugal in Group I.
And Bulgaria have a new coach in Ivaylo Petev as they welcome Italy in Sofia in Group H. The Azzurri are second behind Croatia, who are at home to Norway.
There is greater pressure on Russia and their coach Fabio Capello as they lie in third place in Group G before a difficult trip to Montenegro.
Meanwhile, only three points separate the top four sides in Group D as leaders Poland travel to face the Republic of Ireland while Scotland are at home to whipping boys Gibraltar and World Cup holders Germany head to Georgia.
Coach Joachim Loew has called captain Bastian Schweinsteiger, midfielder Ilkay Gundogan and defender Holger Badstuber back into his squad for the game and this midweek’s friendly with Australia after long-term injuries.
