SPAIN
Iñigo Martinez: injured for Spain, called up by Euskadi
Luis Enrique was quizzed about the absence of the Athletic Club defender who was officially injured and replaced by Marc Bartra in the Spain squad.
According to the medical communique issued by his club (Athletic) following the LaLiga game against FC Barcelona, Iñigo Martínez suffered a “vastus cruraeus muscle injury” after a collision during the game which affected his right leg.
Luis Enrique initially presented his squad for the Wales and England games on October 4th and knowing the injury situation relating the Athletic player, substituted him for Real Betis defender Marc Bartra. He was surprised to learn the following day (October 5th) that Martínez played the full 90 minutes for Athletic in the Basque derby against Real Sociedad.
“We were aware of his condition”, maintained the Spanish coach speaking in Cardiff ahead of the Wales friendly. “It was a local derby, a special game and he and the club decided to take a risk. However that risk is one that I'm not prepared to take. It's a strange situation, but ultimately the player knows his fitness level and is the one who decides which I feel is the right thing".
After playing against Real Sociedad, Martínez has also been called up by the Basque national team (Euskadi) for their friendly against Venezuela this Friday in Vitoria.
