PSG winger Sarabia gets Spain squad call for Euro qualifiers
In this June 6, 2015 photo, Barcelona coach Luis Enrique and his daughter Xana celebrate after the Champions League final against Juventus at the Olympic Stadium in Berlin.
The 23-man squad is the first named by Moreno since he became coach in June after Luis Enrique stepped down from the role to spend time with his daughter Xana, who lost her five-month fight against bone cancer on Thursday aged nine.
The Spanish soccer federation cancelled all media duties on Friday out of respect for Luis Enrique and his family and said a minute of silence would be held at every professional game in Spain this weekend.
The federation added that it had asked UEFA also to hold a minute’s silence before the game away to Romania on Sept. 5 and at home to the Faroe Islands on Sept. 8 in Gijon, Luis Enrique’s home city. Moreno, a former assistant to Luis Enrique with Spain, Barcelona, Celta Vigo and AS Roma, has brought midfielders Suso and Thiago Alcantara as well as striker Paco Alcacer back into the fold, while Iago Aspas and Santi Cazorla have been left out.
“Our daughter Xana passed away this afternoon at nine years old, after fighting for five intense months against osteosarcoma,” Luis Enrique tweeted.
“We will miss you enormously but we will remember you every day of our lives,” he added.
The 2008 and 2012 European champions are top of qualifying Group F for the 2020 tournament with a maximum 12 points from four games, five points clear of Sweden and Romania.
Agence France-Presse
SPAIN SQUAD: (for Euro 2020 qualifiers away to Romania and at home to the Faroe Islands)
Goalkeepers: David De Gea, Kepa Arrizabalaga, Pau Lopez (Roma/ITA); Defenders: Jose Luis Gaya, Jordi Alba, Mario Hermoso, Sergio Ramos, Dani Carvajal, Unai Nunez, Diego Llorente, Jesus Navas; Midfielders: Sergio Busquets, Rodri Hernandez, Saul Niguez, Fabian Ruiz, Dani Parejo, Dani Ceballos, Thiago Alcantara, Suso;
Forwards: Mikel Oyarzabal Rodrigo Moreno, Paco Alcacer, Pablo Sarabia
