Following Sergio Busquets, Diego Llorente has also tested positive for the corona virus, the National Football Association of Spain (RFEF) reported on Tuesday night. The Leeds United defender will leave the training camp immediately, while the rest of the squad continues to prepare for the European Championship. On Tuesday evening, RFEF chairman Luis Rubiales said he already expected more infections. “It is likely that there will be more positive corona tests,” he said after Tuesday night’s match between Spain and Lithuania.
Busquets’ positive test has already turned the match between Spain and Lithuania upside down. Due to the contamination of the midfielder, the first choice of national coach Luis Enrique did not play. In order to meet the sporting obligations, the promises played under the flag of the national A-team. They are led by Spain Young national coach Luis de la Fuente. Of the basic customers, only Bryan Gil had experience as an A-international with his two international matches. Despite the inexperience of the selection, Spain won 4-0.
With a view to possible new infections, Enrique has already called up five reserve players: Brais Méndez, Rodrigo Moreno (Leeds United), Pablo Fornals (West Ham United), Carlos Soler (Valencia) and Raúl Albiol (Villarreal). The new five train to reduce the risks of spreading the coronavirus in a separate ‘bubble’ of the group. Remarkably, the Spanish elector selected only 24 players for his final European Championship squad, while UEFA exceptionally allows 26 players for the upcoming European Championship.
The selection has already been handed in and so Spain will go to the European Championship with a maximum of 24 players on Monday, all players still tested negative, but after Tuesday’s PCR tests, an infection was detected at Llorente. Field players who are physically unable to play may be substituted before the tournament. So if it is decided to drop a player, one of the five newcomers can be added to the selection. Busquets and Llorente will in any case miss Monday’s opening game against Sweden.
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