UEFA Nations League

[monks data]

Nations League | Semi-Finals

Oct 6, 2021 at 7.45pm UK

Italy
1 - 2
Spain

Pellegrini (83')
Bonucci (30'), Locatelli (82')
Bonucci (42')

FT(HT: 0-2)

Torres (17', 45+2')
Azpilicueta (45'), Sarabia (65'), Pino (71'), Oyarzabal (89')

Team News: Barcelona's Gavi named in Spain XI for UEFA Nations League semi-final

By Matt Law, Football Editor

Published: October 6 2021 | 19:12

Last updated: October 6 2021 | 22:13

Team News: Barcelona's Gavi named in Spain XI for Nations League semi-final

Spain boss Luis Enrique names Barcelona midfielder Gavi in his starting XI for Wednesday's UEFA Nations League semi-final against Italy.

Spain boss Luis Enrique has named Barcelona midfielder Gavi in his starting XI for Wednesday's UEFA Nations League semi-final against Italy in Milan.

Gavi is in the La Roja squad for the first time, and the 17-year-old will make his international debut against the Euro 2020 winners in a surprise call from Enrique.

Pablo Sarabia, Ferran Torres and Mikel Oyarzabal have been selected as the front three, while Koke and Sergio Busquets will join Gavi in the middle of the park.

Manchester City's Aymeric Laporte will be joined by the in-demand Villarreal centre-back Pau Torres at the back, while Chelsea duo Cesar Azpilicueta and Marcos Alonso also feature.

Pedri, Thiago Alcantara, Jordi Alba, Dani Olmo, Alvaro Morata and Gerard Moreno are among the absentees for Spain, who lost to Italy in the semi-finals of this summer's European Championship.

David de Gea has started the season in impressive form for Manchester United, but Unai Simon has been selected between the sticks once again.

Full Spain XI: Simon; Azpilicueta, Laporte, P Torres, Alonso; Koke, Busquets, Gavi; Oyarzabal, F Torres, Sarabia