Enrique looks to his leaders
LUIS ENRIQUE says his Spain side will not lack for leadership despite the absence of former captain Sergio Ramos.
The Spain manager ditched Ramos, below, and did not pick a single Real Madrid player in his Euro 2020 squad.
That is despite picking only 24 players when he could have gone with 26.
But ahead of his side’s Group E opener against Sweden, Enrique is confident he will have plenty of character on the pitch.
He said: “We are not lacking leadership.All 24 will need to show leadership and take decisions.
“The coach has to take a lot of decisions, including which players to use. No player is eternal and you have to move players on.We have young players but veterans too. It is a good mix.”
Sweden manager Janne Andersson said: “Ramos has been a fantastic player for Spain for years so I don’t mind that he won’t be playing.” Enrique, who became the first Spain manager in history not to pick a Real Madrid player in a major tournament squad, has captain Sergio Busquets isolating after testing positive for Covid.
But his side will still be favourites against a side they beat 3-0 in Seville during qualifying.
Enrique said: “The first game is always important.You always want to start with a win.”