OFFICIAL: Madrid gem Raul Asencio inluded in Spain squad

At the end of March, the Spanish national team will face a double-header against the Netherlands in the quarter-finals of the Nations League on their way to a title they want to defend. Luis de la Fuente's team will first visit the Netherlands before closing the tie at home. They return to the international dynamic in this international break after the last one in November, where they were unable to count on some important names.

On Friday, Luis de la Fuente announced his list of 27 called-up players for the double-header against the Dutch side. The coach knew he had some important long-term absentees such as Dani Carvajal and Rodri Hernandez and there was some expectation to see if names such as Raul Asencio, Dean Huijsen or Isco Alarcon would be included in this call-up.

In the end, neither the Bournemouth centre-back nor the Malaga playmaker were included by the national coach, who did give Raul Asencio the chance to complete the centre of defence alongside Inigo Martinez, who also returns. Le Normand and Cubarsi continue to fill in at centre-back.

Apart from these changes in defence, the squad is similar from the last one, with no changes in midfield - Marc Casado continues - and with confidence in the attackers once again. Yeremy Pino, Oyarzabal and Bryan Zaragoza are back, as well as Ferran Torres. Up front, Morata, Omorodion and Ayoze.

Spain full squad

- Goalkeepers: Unai Simon, David Raya and Remiro

- Defenders: Pedro Porro, Mingueza, Pau Cubarsi, Robin Le Normand, Inigo Martinez, Raul Asencio, Marc Cucurella and Alex Grimaldo.

- Midfielders: Martin Zubimendi, Marc Casado, Fabian Ruiz, Pedri, Mikel Merino and Alex Baena.

- Forwards: Ferran Torres, Yeremy Pino, Dani Olmo, Lamine Yamal, Nico Williams, Mikel Oyarzabal, Bryan Zaragoza, Alvaro Morata, Samu Omorodion and Ayoze Perez.