Lopetegui blends youth and experience in Spain World Cup squad
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[May 21, 2018]
BARCELONA (Reuters) - Spain
coach Julen Lopetegui named his 23-man World Cup squad on Monday
with a rich blend of youth and experience, as well as some
high-profile absentees.
Chelsea striker Alvaro Morata was left out after a disappointing
season in England, as was his team mate Marcos Alonso, with
Arsenal's Nacho Monreal picked as back-up for left back Jordi Alba.
Lopetegui selected Atletico Madrid's Diego Costa, Celta Vigo's Iago
Aspas and Valencia's Rodrigo Moreno as his three center forwards,
all relatively untested.
Costa, who had a disappointing tournament in Brazil in 2014 as Spain
were knocked out at the group stage, has scored seven goals in 18
internationals.
Versatile Barcelona midfielder Sergi Roberto was also omitted while
veteran playmaker Andres Iniesta heads to his fourth World Cup along
with captain Sergio Ramos.

Isco, Marco Asensio, Nacho Fernandez, Dani Carvajal and Lucas
Vazquez are going to the tournament for the first time along with
their Real Madrid team mate Ramos.
Only four Barcelona players are in the Spain squad, down from seven
Brazil four years ago.
The 2010 world champions face Switzerland on June 3 and Tunisia on
June 9 in friendlies before their World Cup campaign begins against
Portugal on June 15.
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Spain's head coach Julen Lopetegui poses for a portrait at the
Spanish Soccer Federation headquarters in Las Rozas, outside Madrid,
April 23, 2018. REUTERS/Susana Vera

Squad:
Goalkeepers: David de Gea (Manchester United), Pepe Reina (Napoli),
Kepa Arrizabalaga (Athletic Bilbao).
Defenders: Jordi Alba (Barcelona), Nacho Monreal (Arsenal), Alvaro
Odriozola (Real Sociedad), Nacho Fernandez (Real Madrid), Dani
Carvajal (Real Madrid), Gerard Pique (Barcelona), Sergio Ramos (Real
Madrid), Cesar Azpilicueta (Chelsea).
Midfielders: Sergio Busquets (Barcelona), Isco (Real Madrid), Thiago
Alcantara (Bayern Munich), David Silva (Manchester City), Andres
Iniesta (Barcelona), Saul Niguez (Atletico Madrid), Koke (Atletico
Madrid).
Forwards: Marco Asensio (Real Madrid), Iago Aspas (Celta Vigo),
Diego Costa (Atletico Madrid), Rodrigo Moreno (Valencia), Lucas
Vazquez (Real Madrid).
(Reporting by Rik Sharma, editing by Ed Osmond)
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