Spain return and a look at the Ramos-Florentino situation
The Spanish national team are back in training with these game marking the official end of the season. "La Roja" face the Faroe Islands away on Friday and then face Sweden at the Bernabéu next Monday. Both games from part of the qualifying stage for Euro 2020 which have started promising with two wins from two. In this group composed of six nations, two qualify automatically for next summers tournament and Spain should have little problem in advancing despite many players being inactive for three weeks and the head coach still missing due to private and personal matters.
Summer of 69
Despite the feeling being that there is noting to fear with playing the Faroe Islands, there are those of us who still remember Spain's defeat to Finland (2-0) back in 1969, once again with the game coming at the tail-end of the season. That was a cruel disappointment which eventually deprived Spain of a place at the Mexico 1970 World Cup. When I'm asked about these forthcoming fixtures, I feel that the season has been so full for the players that it reminds me of a suitcase that is so over-packed that inevitably the arm of a shirt ends up popping out of it.
Father and Son
The Spain squad sees the return of captain Sergio Ramos. The Madrid defender has been out of action for 61 days through injury and returns from holiday with his Chinese dalliance fresh in the mind. He will play in these games given the scarcity of centre backs and with Luis Enrique set to be missing, the squad will be well served with a figure of authority. Speaking of Ramos, reminds me of last week's episode with Florentino Perez with the defender claiming on countless occasions during his hastily called press conference last week that his relation ship with the president is akin to that of a "father and son" but it's clear that one of them was being ingenious with the truth. Florentino stated on Onda Cero radio that Ramos asked for him to move to China as a free agent with the player contradicting this in the press conference. In the end Ramos is going nowhere with it appearing that the financial bond that ties both individuals a powerful force.