Spain will play this Thursday, in Athens, the first of its two crucial qualifiers for the Qatar 2022 World Cup. Luis Enrique’s team need to win if they want to depend on themselves on Sunday against Sweden.
The Asturian coach has at his disposal a total of 25 players, with Brahim Díaz (AC Milan) and Raúl de Tomás (RCD Espanyol) standing out as new players, as they are making their debut in a call-up with the Spanish National Team after the withdrawals of Ansu Fati and Ferran Torres.
Thus, Luis Enrique could field against Greece an 11 composed entirely of players who took part in the MICFootball, the tournament where the stars are born. It would be with a 3-4-3 system, clearly offensive.
First of all, Unai Simon (Athletic Club’s goalkeeper) played the MIC in 2012. The player from Murgia is a regular in goal, being a protagonist in the last Eurocup in the penalty shootout in the quarterfinals against Switzerland.
The backline will be occupied by Dani Carvajal (MIC 2006), Pau Torres (MIC 2015) and Jordi Alba (2005). The Madrid fullback returns to a call-up after overcoming an injury ordeal. Torres and Alba were also starters during the last continental tournament.
Sergio Busquets, captain of the national team that played the MICFootball in 2005 wearing the colors of Jabac Terrassa, could join in the midfield. Alongside the player from Badia there would be another azulgrana, Gavi, one of the surprises in the F4 Nations League with Spain who has already demonstrated his talent in the tournament on the Costa Brava in three editions (2016, 2018 and 2019).
Rodri and Brahim would complete the quartet in midfield. The Manchester City midfielder stood out in the 2010 MICFootball with Atlético de Madrid, while the current AC Milan winger won the 2011 MIC (alevín category) with Málaga CF, being named best player of the tournament.
Finally, the forward line was made up of Pablo Fornals, Dani Olmo and rookie Raúl de Tomás. Fornals was one of the biggest names in MICFootball 2014. The player from Castellón led Málaga CF in the youth category and was also MVP. Olmo, a canterano azulgrana currently at German club Leipzig, left his stamp on the MIC three times (2010, 2012 and 2014). LaLiga’s third top striker, RDT, played for Real Madrid on the Costa Brava more than a decade ago (2006 and 2008).
A MIC line-up. From promises to professional football.
