Spain coach Julen Lopetegui drops Iker Casillas from national squad

Spain's coach Julen Lopetegui

Madrid, Aug 26 (IANS) Spain's new football coach Julen Lopetegui on Friday dropped the captain of La Roja, Iker Casillas, from the squad for the friendly against Belgium on September 1 and Spain's first World Cup qualifier against Liechtenstein four days later.

The three goalkeepers chosen by Lopetegui are David de Gea (Manchester United), Pepe Reina (Napoli) and Adrian San Miguel (West Ham), in a first list that also featured the return of defender Javi Martinez (Bayern Munich) and striker Diego Costa (Chelsea), reports Efe.

The coach kept 13 players, who played in European Championship 2016 in France, in addition to 11 new ones: Adrian, Pepe Reina, Sergi Roberto, Carvajal, Javi Martinez, Saul, Mata, Marco Asensio, Vitolo, Paco Alcacer and Diego Costa.

Spain's team for the matches against Belgium and Liechtenstein:

Goalkeepers: David De Gea (Manchester United), Pepe Reina (Naples), Adrian San Miguel (West Ham).

Defenders: Cesar Azpilicueta (Chelsea), Gerard Pique, Sergi Roberto and Jordi Alba (Barcelona), Marc Bartra (Borussia Dortmund), Sergio Ramos and Dani Carvajal (Real Madrid), Javi Martinez (Bayern Munich).

Midfielders: Sergio Busquets (Barcelona), Saul Ñiguez and Koke (Atletico Madrid), Thiago Alcantara (Bayern Munich), Juan Mata (Manchester United), Marco Asensio and Lucas Vázquez (Real Madrid), Victor Machin 'Vitolo' (Sevilla).

Forwards: Manuel Agudo 'Nolito' (Manchester City), David Silva (Manchester City), Paco Alcacer (Valencia), Alvaro Morata (Real Madrid), Diego Costa (Chelsea).