Spain National football team

Ramos, Busquets and Isco back for the dress rehearsal that awaits us in the city of Krasnodar, within a fantastic stadium which was described to me as 'a futuristic Roman circus'.

We in Spain find ourselves with a new minister for 'Culture and Sport', one who at times has shown little interest for the latter.

If Carvajal is finally ruled out, the most likely replacement is Rodri, a central midfielder, not a defender.

Pedro Sánchez ha dedicado uno de sus primerísimos actos como presidente a visitar a la Selección, en su último día de trabajo en España

Something I liked even less than seeing no goal-scoring solution was that Sergio Ramos and Isco were allowed to miss the entire trip,

Plenty of good play, but short on that crucial finishing touch. That's how you could summarise Spain's display in their 1-1 draw against Switzerland...

For Julen Lopetegui's Spain, preparations for this month's World Cup finals begin in Vila-real tonight against Switzerland, a tougher test than it might appear.