UEFA Euro - Soccer Wiretap

Spain Leaves Isco, Saul Off Euro 2016 Roster

May 31, 2016 3:07 PM

Spain has left Isco and Saul Niguez off their Euro 2016 roster.

Sergio Ramos, Juanfran, Lucas Vázquez and Koke were the final four players included, while Hector Bellerin replaced the injured Dani Carvajal.

“We have tried to select a balanced squad and I think every position is well covered in this 23,” Del Bosque said at a press conference.

“I’ve not spoken personally to any of the players who’ve been left behind. Everyone wanted to be here, but we only had 23 spots.”

Goalkeepers Iker Casillas (Porto), David De Gea (Man United), Sergio Rico (Sevilla).

Defenders Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid), Gerard Piqué, Jordi Alba, Marc Bartra (all Barcelona), César Azpilicueta (Chelsea), Mikel San José (Athletic Bilbao), Héctor Bellerín (Arsenal), Juanfran (Atletico Madrid).

Midfielders Bruno (Villarreal), Sergio Busquets, Andrés Iniesta (both Barcelona), Thiago (Bayern Munich), David Silva (Manchester City), Pedro, Cesc Fábregas (both Chelsea), Lucas Vázquez (Real Madrid), Koke (Atletico Madrid).

Forwards Aritz Aduriz (Athletic Bilbao), Nolito (Celta Vigo), Álvaro Morata (Juventus).

Press Association

Tags: Spain, UEFA Euro

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Conte Blames MLS Decisions On Omitting Andrea Pirlo, Giovinco

May 24, 2016 5:07 PM

Antonio Conte said that he left Andrea Pirlo and Sebastian Giovinco out of his squad of 30 players was because they decided to play in the MLS.

Pirlo was a surprise omission, having been convinced by Conte to reassess his plan to retire after the 2014 World Cup.

Pirlo played a part in Italy qualifying for Euro 2016, but he has not featured since playing in the 1-0 win over Malta last September.

"When you make a certain choice and go to play in certain leagues, you do so taking it into account that they could pay the consequences from a footballing viewpoint," Conte said at a news conference on Tuesday.

"I called him and we've spoken about it. I needed to discuss it with him and we've had people out there for a week to take a look at him and Giovinco. We've made technical choices and nothing has been done just at random."

Pirlo was left out, even though Claudio Marchisio and Marco Verratti have both been ruled out injured.

Ben Gladwell/ESPN

Tags: Italy, UEFA Euro

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Italy Leaves Mario Balotelli, Andrea Pirlo Off Euro Roster

May 23, 2016 12:51 PM

Mario Balotelli and Andrea Pirlo have been left off Antonio Conte's preliminary 30-man roster for Euro 2016.

On loan from Liverpool, Balotelli scored only one goal in 20 Serie A appearances for AC Milan this season.

Pirlo now plays for New York City FC of the MLS after leaving Juventus last season.

Sebastian Giovinco was also omitted. 

Italy are in Group E, one of the toughest of the tournament with Belgium, Ireland and Sweden.

The Guardian

Tags: Italy, UEFA Euro

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Spain Leaves Costa, Mata, Torres, Cazorla Off 25-Man Roster

May 17, 2016 12:40 PM

Vicente del Bosque has left Diego Costa, Juan Mata, Fernando Torres, Paco Alcacer and Santi Cazorla out of his 25-man provisional squad for Euro 2016.

Del Bosque has offered call-ups to Atletico Madrid's Saul Niguez and Real Madrid's Lucas Vazquez, who are both yet to make a senior appearance for Spain, while also including Athletic Bilbao veteran Aritz Aduriz, Villarreal midfielder Bruno Soriano and Barcelona centre-back Marc Bartra.

"We have weighed everything up," Del Bosque said. "We do not want to call up too many people with doubts over their fitness. We have [David] Silva and Lucas Vazquez with doubts. I did not speak with anyone, as you never know where to put a limit on how many you should call."

Asked about the omissions, Del Bosque said: "Many people had chances, there were doubts over many of the calls, but we made the decisions we thought best.

"There is lot of competition -- we can't bring them all. We make decisions based on football merit. We just bring those we think will be most useful for us."

Dermot Corrigan/ESPN

Tags: Spain, UEFA Euro

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Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain To Miss Euros With Knee Injury

May 6, 2016 10:34 AM

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain will miss the European Championship after suffering a new knee injury in training.

Oxlade-Chamberlain was set to return from the knee injury he sustained against Barcelona in February but Wenger said he had picked up a fresh injury in training on Monday that will rule him out for six to eight weeks.

"It's very sad, because he was quite ready physically, and sharp in training," Wenger said on Friday at his news conference.

Wenger said "there is no chance" he will recover in time for the Euros, which start next month in France, adding: "He'll be back in the beginning of July."

Mattias Karen/ESPN

Tags: Arsenal, England, Injury, UEFA Euro

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