Barcelona's decision to leave Pedri and Gavi out of the squad for the friendly against FC Basel has raised eyebrows, but there is no alarm inside the club.
In fact, according to SPORT, Barcelona are completely relaxed about the fitness of both midfielders.
Their absence from the trip is understood to be a precautionary decision by Hansi Flick, who is unwilling to take unnecessary risks during the opening phase of pre-season.
The two Spaniards were among the most notable absentees from the travelling squad, aside from players dealing with injuries or waiting for clarity over their futures.
However, their situations are not being treated as injury concerns.

#squad #basel #sport #spaniards

When Chelsea arrive in Malaysia for the final leg of their pre-season tour, new manager Xabi Alonso will be reunited with former Liverpool team-mate Luis Garcia.
Garcia is now the chief executive of Johor Darul Ta'zim, who welcome Chelsea to their 40,000-capacity Sultan Ibrahim Stadium on Sunday.
The two Spaniards go way back to 2004, when they both signed for Rafael Benitez's Liverpool on the same day.
Despite facing each other multiple times in the Spanish football ecosystem, that day at Anfield was the first time they met properly.
"He told me he didn't speak English too well before our unveiling press conference," Garcia told BBC Sport.

#Chelsea

There is not long to go until the 2026-27 season gets underway for Real Madrid, who have Jose Mourinho back at the helm for the first time in over 13 years. The Portuguese has been tasked with ending Los Blancos' run without a major trophy, which dates back to the end of the 2024-25 campaign when they won their 15th Champions League.
There is a lot of hope that Mourinho is the ideal man to get Real Madrid back on track. A lot of current and former players have expressed their support in recent weeks, with the latest being Borja Mayoral during an interview with Marca (via MD). He recounted his memories of the Portuguese, starting with the positives.
"What I liked the most, above all, was training. They were very competitive and a lot of fun. Although my situation was not ideal, I really enjoyed training with him. Over time I was even surprised. From the conversations we had and some things he said to me before certain games, I felt that he valued my work. I remember that on one occasion he told me that I deserved to have played much earlier and he also spoke very highly of me in a press conference. That sticks with me. He was a close person. With Gonzalo Villar, Carles Pérez and the Spaniards he talked a lot about his time at Real Madrid. As I have always been very curious, I took the opportunity to ask him many things about his time at Madrid."
However, there were also negatives that Mayoral remembers, such as Mourinho's inability to take defeat well.
"Maybe he didn't really know how to lose, he made comments within the dressing room that I didn't like. Not only towards me, but also towards other colleagues. I understand that he is a very competitive person and that in the heat we can all say things, but I believe that respect for people should always be above all else."

#things #mayoral

Lamine Yamal and Spain are through to the finals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
In a highly anticipated semifinal matchup between Spain and France, it was Lamine Yamal’s side who ended up victorious.
Mikel Oyarzabal and Pedro Porro netted two goals to give the Spaniards a memorable 2-0 win over the World Cup favorites as the French were unable to find a way to beat Spain’s defense.
The 2-0 win over France marked Spain’s 37th consecutive game where the team either won or drew the game in all competitions.
According to OptaJoe on X, this win has helped the 2010 World Cup champs equal Italy’s unbeaten record from 2018 to 2021.

Over 70,000 fans in Arlington witnessed France fizzling out in a disastrous defeat to Spain in the semifinals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Luis de la Fuente’s unbeaten run with Spain in tournaments remains intact as he guided his nation to its only second Men’s World Cup grand final.
The manner of the defeat is worse than the result for France as they were thoroughly contained by Spain. Taking their shots with deadly precision, La Roja shook Les Bleus out of the game and never let them back in again. Here are the match observations from this clash.
You have to give it to the Spaniards this one. They read France like a book. The flicks, turns, feints and through ******* had very little effect in getting past Rodri, Fabián Ruiz and their defenders. Their individual awareness and team cohesion was too strong for the likes of Michael Olise and Kylian Mbappé to flair their way.
The through ball anticipation really killed many attacks before they even started. Olise was neutralized by numbers and good anticipation from Spain. With the CAM effectively out of attacks, Deschamps’ men had a very difficult time in creating from just the wings. Not only did Spain have more than 50 percent tackles than France, but several of their 22 tackles forced the opponents to restart from the scratch which took the sting out of the French attack.
The early penalty scored by Mikel Oyarzabal gave his side a huge edge. There wasn’t much to separate the two sides for most of the first half. However, a controversial penalty call offered Spain the opportunity to get a perfect start. We had previously pointed out how inefficient France have been in front of goal and a team that can take its chances were always going to be a huge threat to them.

Roars of joy and honking car horns reverberated through Madrid on Tuesday as Spaniards celebrated their team overcoming France and moving to the cusp of a second World Cup crown.
"I am so happy and very proud of the team," a euphoric Jaime Sanchez, 19, told AFP as thousands of revellers streamed out of the official fan zone in central Madrid after watching the 2-0 win.
"People didn't give us a chance, but we were able to beat France and we will beat whoever it may be in the final," the student said.
Swarms of people sporting Spain football shirts milled around central Madrid with the red and yellow Spanish flag draped over their shoulders or painted on their cheeks.
"Long live Spain!", "I am Spanish!", they chanted, capturing the moment on their phones and dancing to popular stadium tunes.

July 14 (UPI) -- Spain defenders made France's previously potent attack appear pedestrian, shutting out the World Cup favorites Tuesday to advance to the 2026 finale.
Forward Mikel Oyarzabal and defender Pedro Porro found the net in the 2-0 triumph in Arlington, Texas. Spain goalie Unai Simon logged three saves to become the first goalie in World Cup history to secure six clean sheets in the same tournament.
"Today, we were facing the one of the best squads in the world," Spain coach Luis de la Fuente said on the Fox broadcast. "But in front of them, they faced the best team in the world.
"That's the difference. That's a big plus. These players deserve everything."
The top-ranked Spaniards will meet No. 3 Argentina, the defending champions, or No. 4 England in the 2026 World Cup Final at 3 p.m. EDT Sunday in East Rutherford, N.J.

Nothing but legends.
This Tuesday evening, July 14, the France team takes on Spain in the semi-finals of the 2026 World Cup.
A clash with the feel of a final — and a chance for revenge for Les Bleus, two years after their defeat, again in the semi-finals, at Euro 2024 (2-1).
But the last time Les Bleus and La Roja faced each other at the World Cup was... exactly 20 years ago! In 2006, in Germany, in the round of 16.
Spain dreamed of sending Zinédine Zidane into retirement, but it was indeed he and his teammates who sent the Spaniards packing (3-1).

Portugal vs. Spain free live stream: How to watch World Cup game online without cable originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Portugal and Spain face off in a Round of 16 matchup that pits European neighbors and competition stalwarts against each other.
Not only do the two countries share a border, but they also share a football history. Spain and Portugal have played 41 matches against each other, though most have been friendlies. Most recently, the Portuguese took down the Spaniards on penalties in the 2025 UEFA Nations League Finals.
Both teams head into this clash with different momentum. Spain is coming off a dominating 3-0 win over Austria, led by Mikel Oyarzabal's two goals. On the Portuguese side, the Selecao shook off an early second-half deficit to come back and beat Austria 2-1 thanks to a penalty kick from Cristiano Ronaldo and a stoppage-time goal from Gonçalo Ramos.
The winner will head back to the quarterfinals, a place both sides have been to before. Portugal made the quarterfinals in 2022 before falling to Morocco, while Spain last made the final eight in 2010 when they won the entire tournament.

The transfer rumour mill continues at pace. Here is all the latest gossip from around Europe.
Ruben Amorim wants an anchor for his AC Milan defence, as the new head coach plans a defensive overhaul.
According toGazzetta dello Sport, Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk is the dream target for Amorim. An Anfield exit looks impossible, however, with Liverpool losing Ibrahima Konate to Real Madrid earlier in the summer. Portuguese pair Goncalo Inacio and Andre Silva look liklier options for the ex-Manchester United manager.
Real Madrid are reportedly giving serious thought to the sale ofAurélien Tchouaméni. The midfielder has suitors in the Premier League and the Spaniards are tempted to cash in should a big bid arrive. Manchester United have Tchouaméni on their shortlist and could be tempted after missing out on Mateus Fernandes to Tottenham. Real value the Frenchman at around €90m.
Speaking of Spurs, the uber-active North Londoners are continuing their summer splurge.Robert De Zerbi has his sights set on a ball-playing goalkeeper with Manchester City shot-stopper James Trafford on the club's radar. Trafford wants a regular role and The Independent claim Spurs are keen. Guglielmo Vicario's exit for Serie A could free up room in the squad.

European champions Spain cruised into the last 16 of the World Cup on Thursday with a dominant 3-0 win over Austria to set up a potential showdown with Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal.
Two goals from Mikel Oyarzabal and a Pedro Porro header sealed victory for the Spaniards, who produced their most complete performance of the tournament to advance to the next round.
Spain opened their World Cup campaign with a faltering 0-0 draw against Cape Verde, but have subsequently built momentum with each match.
With Spanish movie stars Penelope Cruz and Javier Bardem in the 70,492 crowd at Los Angeles' SoFi Stadium on Thursday, Spain were always in control against a limited Austrian side who failed to register a single shot on goal.
Oyarzabal fired Spain into the lead in the 36th minute, sweeping in a low finish to crown a slick passing move, and more deft inter-play set up Porro to head home the second in the 66th minute.

For some time now, rumors have been circulating about alleged transfer plans at Real Madrid. Michael Olise of Bayern Munich is said to be at the very top of Los Blancos’ shopping list.
On Saturday afternoon, Real Madrid has now commented on the reports in an official statement. In it, the Spaniards clearly denied the rumors.
The statement in full
"In light of the reports published in various media outlets regarding our club’s alleged interest in Bayern Munich player Michael Olise, Real Madrid C. F. wishes to clarify that neither direct nor indirect contact has taken place with the aforementioned footballer, his representatives, or individuals from his circle.
Real Madrid also wishes to emphasize the excellent institutional relations that the club maintains with Bayern Munich. The two clubs share a long history of mutual respect, cooperation, and appreciation. Therefore, Real Madrid regrets the spread of speculation that does not correspond to the facts.

Monday’s lineup of World Cup action didn’t look the most enticing on paper, but it was the day the tournament truly came alive, filled with terrific goals, excitement and surprises.
We’ve recapped all the happenings from matchday five, including what you missed overnight and the biggest stories from the tournament.
Many would have feared something resembling a repeat of Germany’s 7-1 demolition of Curaçao when Spain met World Cup debutants Cape Verde in Atlanta, but the tiny island nation instead held the European champions to a goalless draw.
Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams started on the bench, but La Roja still would have expected to get the job done in one of the biggest mismatches in history. They created more than enough chances to do so, taking 27 shots on goal.
But a world-class performance from 40-year-old goalkeeper Vozinha, who plays in Portugal’s second tier, frustrated the Spaniards with seven massive saves. He was the star man on the day, but the entire backline was magnificent, committing just one foul all game as they refused to relent to the pressure until the final whistle.

More than half of football fans in Spain plan to watch the 2026 World Cup matches in a bar. That is the figure from a LaLiga study on football viewing habits, and it shows Spaniards are the Europeans most likely to follow tournaments away from home.
On the ground, however, the reality is more nuanced. Santi Vidal, owner of the bar El Cuadro in the Madrid neighbourhood of Carabanchel, is not expecting a stampede for the opening games: "People prefer to watch them at home. We are only expecting big crowds as La Roja progresses through the tournament," he told RTVE. For the first match, against Cape Verde, they have not made any special preparations.
Vidal points to the pandemic as a turning point: "Before coronavirus, a football night was absolute madness. After COVID-19, a lot of people prefer to take it easy and get together with friends at home."
A change in habits that the data themselves confirm: according to Numerator's Worldpanel consultancy, two out of every three fans will follow the World Cup from their living room, and will spend 6% more on food and drink to take home. The Glovo report goes further: it puts that preference for staying in at 80% of Spaniards, with pizza and burgers the most frequent orders during matches.
The industry ***** ociation, Hostelería de España, estimates that bars could increase their takings by between 25% and 30% on match days with favourable kick-off times. If Spain were to reach the final, the aggregate benefit for the sector could exceed €130m. Average spending per customer during the tournament is expected to rise by around 11%, with outlay estimated at between 13 and 18 euros per person per match.