The emergence of the young Vicky López in the senior team is the big news on the list announced this Thursday by the Spanish coach Montse Tomé for the Nations League Final Four. Spain is playing its ticket to the Olympic Games this summer in Paris and will do so with the pearl of the Catalan team, only 17 years old, making his debut with the senior team.
A footballer who makes the leap from the under-17 team, with which she was proclaimed World Champion, directly to the absolute team. Tomé has highlighted her “natural talent” although he has assured that “you have to be patient with her.” “We believe she is at the point to make the leap, but as a coaching staff our goal is to help her continue to grow.” “I know her very well since she was little. We love her ability to play between the lines, her ability to define and steal balls,” praised the coach.
Tomé has also called up Alexia Putellas, despite still being out with FC Barcelona. The Catalan midfielder already had to go to the team’s last concentration to be evaluated by the Federation’s medical services, and they ended up releasing her after confirming that she was not fit to play. This time, with her recovery already in the final stretch, we will have to see what they decide in the selection. Alexia has been off the playing field since November and in December she underwent surgery again on her knee.
Tomé confirmed that the inclusion of Alexia Putellas is due more to the leadership she brings to the team than to what she can contribute in terms of football: “She is an important player for the team, she is our captain and we value that she is a player who has to be in these games ”.
The coach recognizes that the soccer player is immersed in her recovery and assures that they will be very cautious with her: “We know that she is in a readaptation process with her club. Our intention is to continue working on its evolution here. His feelings are good and we have daily communication.” Tomé assures that they face his return “with the confidence that he can be there, but watching his process very carefully.” “There is nothing hidden, nothing strange and we are not going to do anything crazy,” she says.
She is not the only one who is touched. Tere Abelleira, from Real Madrid, also has discomfort. For this reason, Tomé has made a list of 25 names, with room for some discarding. On the list there are significant casualties such as Esther González and Ivana Andrés, both permanent in the squad, and also expected returns such as Alba Redondo, who had not returned to the national team since the World Cup.
The Spanish team faces the Netherlands next Friday, February 23, in La Cartuja (Seville) in the Nations League semifinal. The final will be on the 28th in the same stadium, with a ticket to the Olympic Games at stake. This is the complete list of the 25 footballers called up by Montse Tomé:
Goalkeepers: Cata Coll, Elene Lete, Misa Rodríguez
Defenders: Ona Batlle, Olga Carmona, Oihane Hernández, Laia Codina, Irene Paredes, Laia Aleixandri, María Méndez, Sheila García
Midfielders: Maite Oroz, María Pérez, Tere Abelleriea, Fiamma Benítez, Aitana Bonmatí, Vicky López
Front row: Salma Paralluelo, Jenni Hermoso, Lucía García, Alba Redondo, Eva Navarro, Mariona Caldentey, Athenea del Castillo, Alexia Putellas
Spain’s rival in the semifinals, the Netherlands, already gave its list last Tuesday, with the notable absence of Jill Roord. The Manchester City footballer broke her cruciate two weeks ago and will be out of action for several months. Yes, Esmee Brugts, from FC Barcelona, ??is on this list, the only one from the F League called up with the Dutch team.
