FILE – Spain coach Luis Enrique gestures during Spain’s training session at the Interello sports center in Milan, Italy October 9, 2021. Luis Enrique dropped David de Gea and included the Brentford goalkeeper David Raya in the squad for the upcoming friendlies against Albania and Iceland. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)
PA
MADRID
Spain manager Luis Enrique dropped David de Gea and included Brentford goalkeeper David Raya in the squad for the upcoming friendlies against Albania and Iceland on Friday.
De Gea played the full game for Manchester United on Tuesday when the team lost to Atlético Madrid 1-0 and were knocked out of the Champions League in the Round of 16.
De Gea was Spain’s starter at the 2018 World Cup. He then became a substitute for Unai Simón, who helped Spain reach the semi-finals of the European Championship last year.
Raya, 26, was born in Barcelona but played in England for several years. He was at Blackburn before joining Brentford in 2019. Raya will likely be the third goalkeeper behind Simón and Robert Sánchez.
Midfielder Sergio Busquets was also dropped. Luis Enrique said he wanted to give his captain a rest.
Spain will host Albania in Barcelona on March 26 and Iceland in La Coruña on March 29.
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Spain:
Goalkeepers: Unai Simón (Athletic Bilbao), Robert Sánchez (Brighton), David Raya (Brentford)
Defenders: Marcos Alonso (Chelsea), Jordi Alba (Barcelona), Aymeric Laporte (Manchester City), Pau Torres (Villarreal), Eric García (Barcelona), Diego Llorente (Leeds), César Azpilicueta (Chelsea), Dani Carvajal (Real Madrid ) )
Midfielders: Rodri Hernández (Manchester City), Koke Resurrección (Atlético Madrid), Pedri González (Barcelona), Marcos Llorente (Atlético Madrid), Gavi Páez (Barcelona), Carlos Soler (Valencia)
Forwards: Dani Olmo (Leipzig), Pablo Sarabia (Sporting), Álvaro Morata (Juventus), Rául de Tomás (Espanyol), Ferran Torres (Barcelona), Yeremi Pino (Villarreal)
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