Spain announce Real Madrid starlet in squad for Netherlands clash as attacking stars return

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Spain have announced their squad for the coming Nations League quarter-final double-header with the Netherlands, with two notable inclusions in defence. Barcelona veteran Inigo Martinez is back in the squad for the first time since before Euro 2024, while Real Madrid starlet Raul Asencio, just six months into his senior career at the Santiago Bernabeu, has received a first call up from Luis de la Fuente.

Those were the headline inclusions for La Roja, although perhaps those that were left out made just as much noise. Barcelona midfielder Marc Casado retained his place despite being usurped in the starting XI by Frenkie de Jong in Hansi Flick's thinking, as does Arsenal midfielder Mikel Merino.

In the attacking third, Villarreal duo Yeremy Pino and Ayoze Perez retained their spots, as did Bryan Zaragoza, who off the back of his Osasuna form came back into the side last November. Porto forward Samu Omorodion and Alvaro Morata remain as the natural number nine options, while Mikel Oyarzabal kep his place despite his struggles with Real Sociedad.

The headline names to miss out were Bournemouth defender Dean Huijsen, who had been tipped for inclusion, while Marco Asensio's return to form for Aston Villa has also fallen short. It appears de la Fuente is happy with his options in the creative positions in midfield, with Isco Alarcon perhaps the great disappointment for many fans.

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