Spanish youngsters Pedri, Eric Garcia and Pau Torres have all been named in Spain’s Olympic squad for the upcoming games in Tokyo. The trio have al featured and played their part in Spain’s Euro run so far.
Luis de la Fuente named his 22-man contingent for the Olympics. While all 22 players can travel to Japan, only 18 can be part of the main squad. The remaining 4 players will have to be considered as stand by players in case of injuries.
Spain face Switzerland in their quarter final match on Friday and could realistically reach at least the semi-finals. If Luis Enrique’s men reach the final, the selected players will have just 10 days’ time between the Euros and Olympics.
Pedri, Garcia and Torres aren’t the only players common in both the squads. Real Sociedad winger Mikel Oyarzabal, Spain’s number 1 man between the sticks Unai Simon and RB Leipzig’s attacking midfielder Dani Olmo will also be required for the Olympics.
The three overage Spanish squad members at the Tokyo games will be Dani Ceballos, Marco Asensio and Mikel Merino. Barcelona centre back duo of Jesus Vallejo and Oscar Mingueza have also been included in the squad.
“The Olympic Games are a continuation of Euro 2020. I’m sure that everything that happens in the Euros will be positive for people to get hooked on us,” Fuentes said after confirming his squad.
“These guys are the present and the future of Spanish football.”
The Spain U23 boss added on the importance of the three over-23s in his final selection: “Asensio, Ceballos and Merino are just part of the group.
“We have been together for many years and they all know each other. They all bring veteran experience.”
Fuentes also jumped to the defence of Simon, who conceded an own goal from Pedri in Spain’s last-16 win against Croatia after failing to control his team-mate’s back pass.
“I know Unai Simon. I know of his strength and his integrity,” he said. “Yesterday he had an exceptional reaction after a difficult moment.
“He is doing very well.”
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