Spain boss De la Fuente explains decision to leave Barcelona pair out of latest squad

Spanish national team head coach Luis de la Fuente has on Friday provided an insight into his decision not to call either of Barcelona pair Pau Cubarsí or Iñigo Martínez up to his latest squad.

Spain’s panel of stars for the November international break was unveiled online earlier this morning.

La Roja are primed for a pair of Nations League fixtures against Denmark and Switzerland over the coming weeks, with boss De la Fuente having called upon a strong squad of players.

Front and centre is Barcelona youngster Marc Casadó, rewarded for his spectacular recent form with a first-ever senior call at international level.

As alluded to above, though, whilst one member of Hansi Flick’s squad celebrates, two more have been left to ponder what might have been.

This comes with the Spanish coaching staff having opted against selecting either Pau Cubarsí or Iñigo Martínez – the two first-choice central defenders for a Barca outfit with a claim to being the most in-form side in Europe at present.

Speaking in a press conference this afternoon, it therefore came as little surprise when the subject of as much was put to the aforementioned Luis de la Fuente.

And Spain’s headmaster went on to provide the following explanations:

“Iñigo’s exclusion? We will miss him, but we have Aitor Paredes who is having a great season with Athletic Club.”

“Cubarsi’s exclusion? He has a very big and deep wound with 9 stitches and we always take care of the players. Pau will have a few days for the wound to heal and we should not take risks.”

Conor Laird – GSFN