MX23RW : Wednesday, December 18 19:31:16| >> :120:10027:10027:

Robert Moreno refuses to rule Ansu Fati out of Euro 2020 place

Spain are bidding to maintain their perfect record in qualifying.

Spain head coach Robert Moreno insists Barcelona's teenage star Ansu Fati could yet force his way into the squad ahead of next summer's European Championship.

The 16-year-old has burst onto the scene for the LaLiga champions this season and was rewarded with a call-up to the under-21 squad this week after acquiring a Spanish passport.

Fati, born in Guinea-Bissau, became the youngest Barcelona player to appear in the Champions League this season and Moreno admits he is becoming difficult to ignore.

"I'm not ruling out the fact that he could play at Euro 2020. It would be foolish to say that he will not go," Moreno told a press conference as reported by Marca.

"There will come a time when we have to look at the different pieces and see who is in the picture. Any good player is welcome in the team.

"He has broken the system in terms of players in specific age groups. Hopefully he can help the under-21s with qualifying."

Spain have a perfect record in qualifying, including a 2-1 win over Norway in the first round of fixtures in March.

Martin Odegaard is one member of the Norway squad who will be familiar to Spain. The 20-year-old is on loan at Real Socieded from Real Madrid and has impressed this season – winning LaLiga player of the month in September.

"He is doing very well but there is no specific plan to stop a player," Moreno added.

"I wouldn't make a specific plan to stop him or anyone else. At the end of the day Norway are a good team and we will have to be effective to get the win."

Odegaard is looking forward to the challenge of taking on Spain and is excited to play in front of a packed crowd in Oslo.

"It will be very special, it is by far the biggest thing one can experience as a national team player. We're looking forward," he told the official Norway website.

"A fully-fledged Ullevaal (stadium) is absolutely magical and we hope everyone creates as much life as possible and supports us to victory. That would be fantastic."

Norway sit fourth in Group F but are just two points adrift of second-placed Sweden, against whom they picked up a 1-1 away draw last time out.

Head coach Lars Lagerback wants them to build on that result.

"The defence was very good, in addition we created more than Sweden and it is good on the field against a good team," Lagerback added.

"I hope we can build on that while hopefully becoming more efficient so that we can score some goals."

ID:374732: cacheID:374732:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:4105:
Written by
P A
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Barcelona's Anssumane Fati celebrates scoring their first goal with team mates on September 14, 2019
Read Next:
Ansu Fati chooses to represent Spain?
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Barcelona18122450203038
2Atletico MadridAtletico17115131112038
3Real Madrid17114237162137
4Athletic Bilbao1896327161133
5Mallorca188371821-327
6Villarreal167542827126
7Real Sociedad177461611525
8Osasuna176742225-325
9Real BetisBetis176652021-124
10GironaGirona176472325-222
11Sevilla176471823-522
12Celta Vigo176382528-321
13Rayo Vallecano165561819-120
14Las PalmasLas Palmas175482227-519
15Leganes174671523-818
16Getafe173771114-316
17AlavesAlaves174491928-916
18Espanyol1642101528-1314
19Real ValladolidValladolid1733111234-2212
20Valencia152491323-1010


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!