Del Bosque Leaves Out Costa and Mata

Diego Costa and Juan Mata have both been left out of Spain’s provisional squad for their Euro 2016 campaign by Vicente del Bosque while there is also no place in the two-times defending champions’ squad for Fernando Torres.

Costa has endured a below-par season with Chelsea despite finding the net 16 times and after suffering a hamstring injury in Chelsea’s 1-1 draw with Liverpool earlier this month, Guus Hiddink admitted he was unsure if the Brazil-born forward would recover in time for next month’s tournament in France.

He was also left out of the Spain squad in March for friendlies with Italy and Romania and Del Bosque, speaking at the announcement of his squad, confirmed he was not prepared to risk Costa, who scored just one goal in qualifying, or Arsenal’s Santi Cazorla, who made his return from a long-term knee injury for Arsenal on Sunday.

“We have weighed everything up,” Del Bosque was quoted as saying by ESPN. “We do not want to call up too many people with doubts over their fitness. The Cazorla situation is very like Diego’s – he has been out five months, made a great effort to be ready, but we can’t have many doubts.”

Mata meanwhile has paid the price for a recent dip in form for Manchester United, who have effectively missed out on a place in the top four, while Del Bosque’s decision to omit Torres, whose form has improved in Atlético Madrid’s run to the Champions League final, leaves Spain looking light in attack.

Paco Alcácer, Spain’s highest scorer in qualifying with five goals, also misses out in favour of Atlético’s uncapped forward Saúl Ñíguez, the 35-year-old Aritz Aduriz, Nolito, Juventus’ Álvaro Morata and Real Madrid’s Lucas Vázquez, who is also yet to make an appearance for the national side.

While Costa has been omitted, his Chelsea team-mates César Azpilicueta, Pedro and Cesc Fàbregas have been included along with the Manchester City playmaker David Silva and Manchester United’s goalkeeper David de Gea.

Spain’s 25-man provisional squad for Euro 2016

Iker Casillas, David de Gea, Sergio Rico, Sergio Ramos, Gerard Piqué, Dani Carvajal, Jordi Alba, Marc Bartra, César Azpilicueta, Mikel San José, Juanfran, Bruno, Sergio Busquets, Koke, Thiago, Andrés Iniesta, Isco, David Silva, Pedro, Cesc Fàbregas, Saúl Ñíguez, Aritz Aduriz, Nolito, Álvaro Morata, Lucas Vázquez.

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Aduriz Hits First Gol for La Roja

Aritz Aduriz scored his first goal for Spain at the age of 35 to give the reigning European champions a fortuitous 1-1 draw against Italy in a friendly in Udine.

Lorenzo Insigne ended Spain’s run of six successive clean sheets when he finished off a counterattack to give the hosts a deserved lead midway through the second half at the Stadio Friuli.

However, Aduriz, who made his only previous appearance for Spain six years ago and was recalled thanks to his prolific form with Athletic Bilbao, replied three minutes later with Spain’s first shot on target.

The result ended Spain’s run of seven successive wins and they would have lost if had it not been for an inspired performance by their goalkeeper David de Gea.

Italy were missing the midfielders Claudio Marchisio and Marco Verratti and the defenders Andrea Barzagli and Giorgio Chiellini, while Spain were without the forward Diego Costa.

The hosts fielded a 3-4-3 formation and were far livelier than a pedestrian Spain. Antonio Candreva nearly put them ahead with a long-range shot in the first half that De Gea turned around the post.

Italy took the lead in the 67th minute when the substitute Insigne diverted Emanuele Giaccherini’s low cross past De Gea following a quick break.

They led for only four minutes before Cesc Fàbregas floated a free-kick into the area, Gianluigi Buffon failed to hold Álvaro Morata’s header and Aduriz fired the rebound into the roof of the net.

Insigne thought he had won the game for Italy with a delightful chip over De Gea but the goalkeeper managed to tip the ball over the bar.

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Real DeGea Deal on Football Leaks

David de Gea was set to earn £9.2m a year until 2021 at Real Madrid had he completed a move from Manchester United last summer, according to the Football Leaks website.

United and Madrid in August agreed a £29m transfer that would have seen the goalkeeper swap Old Trafford for the Bernabéu, but the proposed switch fell through after the requisite paperwork was not submitted before the Spanish deadline.

On Monday, Football Leaks published a document it claims is the contract De Gea was due to sign at Madrid. It shows the Spain international would have received a figure of €11,818,182 (£9.2m) for each season from 2015-16 to 2020-21.

There is also mention of a break clause of €500m (£388m), which De Gea would have been obliged to pay if he walked out on his contract.

Only a few days after the move failed to materialise, United announced De Gea – who joined them from Atlético Madrid on a five-year deal in 2011 – had signed a new four-year contract, with an option to extend for a further year.

That deal was reportedly worth £200,000 per week. The figures from the Football Leaks document equate to around £176,000 per week.

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OSM - Del Bosque is Spain's Quiet Man

Photo by Jasper Juinen/Getty Images Europe)

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Belgium Cancel Spain Match

Tuesday's friendly match between Belgium and Spain has been cancelled due to an increased terrorist threat.

There were safety fears about the match following the Paris terror attacks which killed 129 people, with arrests made in Belgium.

And the Belgium team's Twitter account confirmed the contest would not take place with a tweet which read: "Our match against Spain has been cancelled."

A statement on the Belgian Football Association website gave more detail about the cancellation of the match, which was due to take place at Brussels's Roi Baudouin Stadium.

It read: "In consultation with the competent authorities and the Spanish national team, the Belgian FA has decided to cancel the match.

"At the very end of the evening the Belgian FA was contacted by the government, who made the recommendation not to play tomorrow's match. This is because the terror alert level is high and with the current leakage of a suspicious person.

"We deeply regret that such a friendly match between two motivated teams has been cancelled so late and we understand the disappointment of many supporters.

"However, taking into account the exceptional circumstances, we cannot take any security risk with players and fans.

"Ticket holders will get more information about tickets in the course of this week."

The Stade de France was targeted as part of Friday's attacks in Paris, as the home side played an international against Germany.

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Preview - Spain v England

England begin their preparations for Euro 2016 with a trip to Spain to face Vicente Del Bosque's in-form defending champions.

Spain, victorious in Vienna at Euro 2012, have won their last six matches, a run that stretches back to mid-June, and have kept clean sheets in four consecutive games against Slovakia, Macedonia, Luxembourg and Ukraine.

England beat Spain 1-0 in their last encounter thanks to Frank Lampard's second-half strike in a Wembley friendly, and Roy Hodgson's men head into Friday's game full of confidence after a perfect 10 wins from 10 in their European qualification campaign.

Originally scheduled for the Santiago Bernabeu in Madrid, Friday's friendly will instead take place at the 30,000 capacity Estadio Jose Rico Perez in Alicante.

Jamie Vardy is Hodgson's only injury concern - the Leicester striker picked up a knock in the Foxes' victory over Watford and is doubtful.

Wayne Rooney will be rested, which opens the door for Harry Kane to lead the attack. Hodgson confirmed the England captain will be available against France on Tuesday. Spurs duo Dele Alli and Eric Dier are in line for first international starts after Liverpool's James Milner pulled out of the squad with a hamstring injury earlier in the week.

Diego Costa could start for the hosts, but Del Bosque will be without David Silva (ankle), Sergio Ramos (shoulder) and Isco (muscle). The Real Madrid playmaker left Spain's training camp with an undisclosed muscular injury, and his absence could allow a rare start for Manchester United's Juan Mata or Celta Vigo's Nolito.

Spain have won three of the last four internationals with England, losing the last meeting in November 2011 at Wembley.

The last time England won away in Spain was in February 1987 - Gary Lineker scored all four goals in a 4-2 win for Sir Bobby Robson's side. In fact, England haven't scored in their last three matches in Spain under three different managers (Graham Taylor, Sven Goran Eriksson and Fabio Capello).

Spain have won 10 of their last 11 on home soil, losing only to Germany in November 2014. But England haven't conceded in their last four games - they last went five without conceding in October 2014.

The last team to play an international against Spain in Alicante were Scotland in 2011 (lost 3-1). In seven internationals, Spain have won six and drawn one (against Hungary in 1977).

Roy Hodgson is unbeaten in his last eight friendlies as England manager (W4 D4), last losing to Germany in November 2013.

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Angel Villar Escapes FIFA Ban

Acting head of Uefa Angel Maria Villar Llona has escaped a ban for not co-operating with investigations into the 2018 and 2022 World Cup bids.

The Spaniard, who led the joint Spain-Portugal bid, was warned and given a 25,000 Swiss francs (£16,377) fine.

Fifa also banned Congolese Football Association vice-president Jean Guy Blaise Mayolas and general secretary Badji Mombo Wantete for six months.

They had been provisionally suspended so will serve the remaining 45 days.

Villar Llona is also the president of the Spanish football association and a vice-president at world football's governing body. He has stepped in for Uefa chief Michel Platini while the Frenchman serves a 90-day ban from all football-related activities.

German football legend and Fifa member Franz Beckenbauer is also being investigated for his refusal to co-operate with the inquiries into the vote that handed the 2018 and 2022 tournaments to Russia and Qatar.

Congolese pair Mayolas and Wantete were handed six-month provisional bans in June this year. They were found guilty of apparent breaches of Fifa's code of ethics.

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Del Bosque Considers Russia 2018

Vicente del Bosque has opened the door to staying on after next year’s Euro 2016 tournament should the holders qualify as expected.

Del Bosque, who took over from the late Luis Aragonés after Spain’s triumph at Euro 2008, has previously suggested he would step down after the competition in France, where La Roja will be chasing an unprecedented third straight European Championship.

Spanish media have reported that the federation president Ángel María Villar is trying to persuade the 64-year-old to stay on until the 2018 World Cup in Russia and Del Bosque appeared to leave that possibility open in an interview with Spanish radio.

“I think that in football matters you don’t have to be very rigid,” he told Cadena Cope when asked about his future.

Del Bosque is a hugely popular figure in Spain after leading the national team to a maiden World Cup victory in 2010 and a second consecutive European title two years later.

However, some felt that a fresh start was needed after Spain’s failure to advance beyond the group stage at last year’s World Cup finals in Brazil.

Among names to have been linked to the Spain job are the Bayern Munich coach Pep Guardiola, Sevilla’s Unai Emery and Rafa Benítez of Real Madrid.

Spain can make sure of their place at Euro 2016 with a win against the Group C minnows Luxembourg in Logrono on Friday.

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Bilbao Beat Barca in Camp Nou

Athletic Bilbao won a first trophy in 31 years as a 1-1 draw with Barcelona at the Nou Camp secured the Spanish Super Cup with a 5-1 aggregate victory.

Bilbao won the first leg 4-0 but Barcelona threatened a comeback with Lionel Messi's close-range finish.

Barca defender Gerard Pique was sent-off after the break and Aritz Aduriz struck late on to seal it for Bilbao.

The visitors had Kike Sola sent-off late on, but the celebrations for Bilbao had already begun.

It was ultimately a disappointing display for Barcelona who, despite plenty of possession, failed to threaten often enough.

After Barcelona's humiliating defeat in the first leg, Athletic Bilbao knew Luis Enrique's side would be determined to make amends.

The reigning European champions lined up with Messi, Luis Suarez and Pedro in attack but the visitors had done their homework and the trio were well marshalled throughout.

Whenever Messi had the ball, at least two players crowded round the Argentina international and his inability to get into the game left Suarez isolated.

Pedro's swan song?

Pedro, a reported target for Manchester United, had Barcelona's better opportunities in the opening stages but was unable to make them count.

The forward was full of running but his finishing let him down when it mattered, most notably when he missed the ball completely when a corner routine was worked to him on the edge of the area in the first half.

Pedro failed to find the target with another chance after the break and was eventually replaced in the 68th minute.

Enrique heads into the new season with some concerns at the back. Goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen was named on the bench after conceding eight goals in his last two games, with Chile international Claudio Bravo starting in his place.

Barcelona's attacking intent often left them exposed at the back, and any hopes of getting the goals they needed ended when Pique was needlessly sent-off midway through the second half. The defender angrily remonstrated with the linesman and the referee produced a straight red.

After a brief spell of Barca dominance, Jeremy Mathieu gifted possession to Aduriz, leaving the forward one-on-one with Bravo and, after his initial effort was saved, Aduriz side-footed home the rebound to put the game beyond Barcelona.

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Athletic Bilbao 4 - 0 Barcelona

European champions Barcelona were stunned by an Aritz Aduriz hat-trick and brilliant opener from Mikel San Jose as Athletic Bilbao took a 4-0 lead into the second-leg of the Spanish Super Cup.

Barca had picked up their fourth trophy of the year in Tbilisi on Tuesday with a 5-4 win over Sevilla in extra time in the Uefa Super Cup.

But those exertions clearly took their toll as an under-strength side was dominated from the off by the Basques who exacted revenge for defeat in the Copa del Rey final back in May.

San Jose fired in a volley from just inside the Barca half to break the deadlock before Aduriz struck three times in 15 second-half minutes to give Ernesto Valverde's side a huge advantage heading into Monday's second-leg.

"To score four against Barcelona is almost impossible. We are very satisfied with our work but the second leg is still to come and it is going to be very tough," Aduriz told Telecinco.

"We cannot think that Barca in their stadium can't score four goals. They are the best and capable of doing anything."

Barca's defensive deficiencies had been laid bare in blowing a 4-1 lead against Sevilla that forced them into an energy-sapping extra 30 minutes in the Georgian capital.

However, with Gerard Pique among four first-team regulars rested the Catalans were even more of a shambles at the back and this time couldn't be rescued by an off-colour Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi.

It is the first time in 14 years that the Catalans have conceded four times in two consecutive games.

"It is going to be difficult, but we have won many matches by many goals and we will try until the last minute," said a defiant Javier Mascherano.

"It is a one-off situation. They had four or five chances and scored four. Obviously that is not normal, especially given how we finished last season, but don't count us out yet.

"Now we have to correct what we did wrong, but above all prepare for the return leg."

San Jose began an unforgettable night for the hosts in fitting fashion as he pounced on Marc-Andre Ter Stegen's headed clearance to fire the ball beyond the German 'keeper from just beyond the halfway line.

Barca slowly began to get back into the game, but they didn't seriously threaten until first-half stoppage time when Pedro Rodriguez was clipped on the edge of the area.

Messi scored twice from free-kicks against Sevilla in midweek and couldn't have struck this one much better as Gorka Iraizoz flew to his right to claw the ball away from the top corner with an outstretched hand.

The visitors twice came close to an equaliser at the start of the second period as Pedro fired off the underside of the bar before Iraizoz made another brilliant save to deny Messi from Suarez's clever cut-back.

However, the game turned back in Athletic's favour when Sabin Merino beat Dani Alves for pace and his cross was powerfully headed home by Aduriz.

More poor defending from Luis Enrique's men was punished nine minutes later as the ball ricocheted around the area before Aduriz smashed home on the turn.

And the veteran striker was given the chance to complete his hat-trick when Alves was adjudged to have pulled down Borja Etxeita from a corner and Aduriz confidently sent Ter Stegen the wrong way from the spot.

Messi and Suarez tried to lift the visitors in the final quarter, but even they couldn't find a way past a resolute Athletic defence.

Barca now have a huge mountain to climb at the Camp Nou on Monday if they are to maintain their push to emulate Pep Guardiola's Barca side which won six trophies in a calendar year six years ago.

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