Seven Real Madrid players in Spain squad
Seven Real Madrid players were drafted into the Spain squad on Thursday for the forthcoming Euro 2004 qualifiers against Greece and Northern Ireland.
Seven Real Madrid players were drafted into the Spain squad on Thursday for the forthcoming Euro 2004 qualifiers against Greece and Northern Ireland.
An all-Real front line of Raul, Guti and Fernando Morientes, defensive trio Michel Salgado, Ivan Helguera and Raul Bravo -- recently returned from a loan spell at Leeds United -- as well as goalkeeper Iker Casillas all feature in Inaki Saez's squad.
The unbeaten Spaniards lead second-placed Ukraine by four points in Group Six at the halfway stage of the qualification campaign.
Wins against Greece in Zaragoza and Northern Ireland in Belfast could see them wrap up a place in next year's tournament before the final two rounds of matches.
"We could secure our qualification after these two matches so we have to use all the resources at our disposal," Saez told a news conference after announcing the 19-man squad.
Real Sociedad playmaker Xabi Alonso has kept his place in the side after an impressive debut in the 4-0 victory over Ecuador in a recent friendly, while Celta Vigo defender Juanfran has been recalled to replace Alonso's injured team mate Agustin Aranzabal at left back.
With Valencia midfielder Ruben Baraja suspended for the first game at home to Greece on June 7, Deportivo Coruna's Sergio remains in the centre of midfield to form a possible partnership with Alonso.
Leading striker Raul returns after missing the 4-0 victory over Ecuador through injury, a game in which his club colleague Fernando Morientes helped himself to an opportunist's hat-trick.
Defender Carles Puyol and wingers Joseba Etxeberria and Vicente are also back after being forced to withdraw from the last squad through injury.
With club colleague Xavi out for the rest of the season after a shoulder operation, Puyol is the only Barca representative in the squad.
Apart from the changes forced on him by injury and suspension, Saez has kept faith with the core of players that have earned his side top spot in the group.
Squad:
Goalkeepers: Iker Casillas (Real Madrid), Santiago Canizares (Valencia).
Defenders: Carles Puyol (Barcelona), Raul Bravo (Real Madrid), Ivan Helguera (Real Madrid), Juanfran (Celta Vigo), Carlos Marchena (Valencia), Michel Salgado (Real Madrid).
Midfielders: Joseba Etxeberria (Athletic Bilbao), Joaquin (Real Betis), Juan Carlos Valeron (Deportivo Coruna), Xabi Alonso (Real Sociedad), Ruben Baraja (Valencia), Vicente (Valencia), Sergio (Deportivo Coruna), Javi de Pedro (Real Sociedad).
Forwards: Raul (Real Madrid), Fernando Morientes (Real Madrid), Guti (Real Madrid).