Spain drops Costa. Recalls Thiago
Spain coach Vicente del Bosque has overlooked
striker Diego Costa and recalled midfielder Thiago
Alcantara for the holders' final two Euro 2016 Group
C qualifiers against Luxembourg and Ukraine this
month.
Chelsea's Costa is suspended for the match against
Luxembourg in Logrono in a week's time but would
have been available for the game in Kiev three days
later. He was replaced on the 23-man roster by
Juventus striker Alvaro Morata.
Thiago, who is back on good form at Bayern Munich
after a series of knee problems and last played for
La Roja in a friendly against Italy in March 2014,
comes in as cover for injured pair Andres Iniesta
and Koke.
Del Bosque said the decision to leave Brazil-born
Costa out was taken after he was booked in Spain's
1-0 win away to Macedonia last month and was not
a result of the player's disciplinary problems in the
Premier League.
Costa was banned for three domestic matches by
the English FA last month after being found guilty of
violent conduct in a match against Arsenal.
"I did not like what happened in the Premier League,
I don't think it was edifying," Del Bosque told a
news conference at Spain's training base outside
Madrid on Friday.
"He can't play the first match and we preferred not
to bring him," he added. "He is not playing badly,
we'll select him in the future if everything goes
normally."
Spain can make sure of their place at the
tournament in France next year with a win against
minnows Luxembourg, who are second-from-
bottom in the section.
Del Bosque's side have 21 points from eight
matches, two ahead of Slovakia, who host Belarus
on Friday. Ukraine are third on 16 points ahead of
their match away to bottom side Macedonia.
Del Bosque also recalled Celta Vigo winger Nolito,
Villarreal captain Bruno Soriano and Real Sociedad
centre back Inigo Martinez, with Bayern fullback
Juan Bernat and Sevilla midfielder Vitolo missing
out.
Spain squad:
Goalkeepers: Iker Casillas (Porto), David De Gea
(Manchester United), Sergio Rico (Sevilla)
Defenders: Dani Carvajal (Real Madrid), Gerard
Pique (Barcelona), Marc Bartra (Barcelona),
Juanfran (Atletico Madrid), Sergio Ramos (Real
Madrid), Jordi Alba (Barcelona), Cesar Azpilicueta
(Chelsea), Inigo Martinez (Real Sociedad)
Midfielders: Sergio Busquets (Barcelona), Santi
Cazorla (Arsenal), David Silva (Manchester City),
Isco (Real Madrid), Cesc Fabregas (Chelsea), Bruno
Soriano (Villarreal), Thiago Alcantara (Bayern
Munich), Juan Mata (Manchester United)
Forwards: Pedro (Chelsea), Paco Alcacer (Valencia),
Alvaro Morata (Juventus), Nolito (Celta Vigo)
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