Football

Alvaro Morata has been recalled to the Spanish national team for their upcoming Nations League matches, as announced by coach Luis de la Fuente on Friday. The AC Milan forward returns to the squad after recovering from a muscular injury that kept him out of Spain's opening two Group A4 encounters.De la Fuente praised Morata's leadership qualities, describing him as "one of the best strikers in the world" and "a great captain who unites the team." He added that Morata's presence on and off the field is invaluable.However, Spain will be without key midfielder Rodri, who suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury and will miss the rest of the season. De la Fuente acknowledged Rodri's irreplaceable role but expressed confidence in other players stepping up.Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi has been called up to replace Rodri, while Mikel Merino, who recently recovered from an injury, has also made his return to the squad.Spain will face Denmark in Murcia on October 12 before hosting Serbia in Cordoba three days later. The squad includes a mix of experienced players and rising stars, with a strong emphasis on players from La Liga clubs.De la Fuente's decision to recall Morata and include Zubimendi and Merino signals his intent to maintain a competitive and cohesive team despite the absence of key players. Spain will be aiming to secure positive results in their remaining Nations League matches and build momentum ahead of the 2024 European Championship.

AC Milan's star signing Alvaro Morata has been forced to relocate after the mayor of his chosen residence, Corbetta, publicly announced his arrival on social media. The incident has sparked a heated exchange between the footballer and the mayor, highlighting concerns over privacy and the responsible use of social media.Morata, who recently joined AC Milan from Atletico Madrid, had chosen Corbetta as his family's new home. However, his privacy was compromised when Mayor Marco Ballarini posted a welcoming message on Instagram, revealing his arrival to the town's 17,000 residents.The 31-year-old striker expressed his anger on social media, accusing the mayor of violating his privacy and endangering his children's safety. He emphasized that he had hoped for privacy in Corbetta but was now forced to move due to the mayor's actions.The mayor responded with a dismissive "Ciao, ciao" message, accompanied by the badge and colors of Inter Milan, AC Milan's arch-rivals. This further fueled Morata's frustration, who has since been forced to find a new residence.The incident has raised questions about the appropriate use of social media by public officials and the importance of respecting individuals' privacy. Morata's concerns are particularly relevant given his high profile and the potential risks to his family's safety.On the pitch, Morata has made a solid start to his AC Milan career, scoring two goals in four league matches. However, he is yet to secure a starting spot under coach Paulo Fonseca. AC Milan currently sit third in Serie A, level on points with fourth-placed Inter Milan.

Spain's dazzling run to the Euro 2024 final has been marked by the prolificacy of their wingers, but the absence of goals from captain Alvaro Morata has raised concerns. Despite his team's impressive performance, Morata has only managed one goal in 13 matches, becoming a lightning rod for criticism.In contrast, England, despite facing weaker opposition, believe they can upset Spain on Sunday if Morata's drought continues. The Atletico Madrid forward's poor finishing has been scrutinized in Spain, where he has scored just four times in 30 games for club and country. His attitude has also been questioned.While wingers Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams have excelled in Germany, Morata has underperformed despite a strong start against Croatia. His high work-rate and movement have been praised, but his lack of goals remains a concern.If Spain triumph in Berlin, Morata can claim a role in their success, but his goal drought will be a major talking point if England prevail. Morata has expressed frustration with the criticism he has faced, claiming that there is "no respect" in Spain.Some media outlets have criticized Morata's comments, while others have defended him. Coach Luis de la Fuente has backed his captain, calling him an "atypical leader" who is unfairly criticized.Morata has played for several top clubs, including Real Madrid, Chelsea, and Juventus, but has never found a permanent home. He may leave Atletico this summer, having previously struggled in the Premier League.Despite the criticism, Morata's teammates remain supportive. Dani Olmo believes he could still finish as the tournament's top scorer. Morata himself is determined to silence his critics and win his first major international trophy.

Spain's Euro 2024 campaign got off to a flying start with a convincing 3-0 victory over Croatia in Berlin. Coach Luis de la Fuente urged his team to remain grounded despite the impressive performance, emphasizing the importance of staying calm and focused.La Roja dominated the first half, with Alvaro Morata opening the scoring in the 17th minute. Fabian Ruiz doubled the lead just before halftime, and Dani Carvajal sealed the victory with a fine goal in the second half.De la Fuente praised his young team's performance, particularly 16-year-old Barcelona winger Lamine Yamal, who became the youngest player ever to play at the Euros. "We dug in against Croatia, who are one of the best teams in the world, and we applied ourselves well in defense," said De la Fuente. "We performed in the way we needed to at every stage."Spain's tactical approach under De la Fuente has shifted from the possession-based style of his predecessor Luis Enrique. La Roja is now more willing to go direct when it suits them, utilizing the pace and versatility of players like Ferran Torres, Nico Williams, and Lamine."We have real versatility and different tactical options," said De la Fuente. "We can hurt opponents with possession or attacks based on positional play, or we can be very quick on the break too."Despite the impressive victory, De la Fuente cautioned his team against complacency. "We have to stay calm, motivated, and proud," he said. "We have a big game against Italy in five days. Our target is still very far away, we have to just keep our feet on the ground."