Spain vs FYR Macedonia - Iago Aspas surprised to earn 'dream' Spain call

Posted Friday, November 11, 2016 by PA

Celta Vigo striker Iago Aspas' unexpected call up to the Spain squad for the World Cup qualifier against Macedonia surprised even him.

The 29-year-old, who has revived his career back in his homeland after flopping at Liverpool following a B#7.2million move in the summer of 2013, was brought in just 48 hours before the match in Granada to replace the injured Diego Costa.

Aspas has scored six goals in 11 LaLiga games this season, just two behind Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez, and is the top-scoring Spaniard.

For that reason he joined up with the national squad full of confidence, even if it came as something of a shock.

"I deserve to be here but even when I wasn't included in the squad I worked the same hoping that one day I would be given this chance," he told radio station Onda Cero.

"I wasn't expecting this. I knew that Diego was not well but a few days had gone by so I wasn't thinking about it.

"I'm still taking in. I had just played a friendly with Celta and I was taking a shower when I was I told they (club officials) were calling from the clubhouse to warn that the national team had called for me to travel right away.

"We had three days off and I was planning to spend them in my village with my family.

"This is a dream come true and I have to thank my club, Celta, for helping me get here."

Because of his late addition it seems unlikely Aspas will start against Macedonia, although he may get a run out in the friendly against England next week.

Coach Julen Lopetegui has still to make up his mind who will lead the line after losing first-choice striker Costa to a thigh problem.

"I haven't made a decision yet," he told radio station Cadena Ser.

"Costa had done a good job in the last four games for Spain and we had hoped he would feel better but he hasn't recovered.

"We have to accept it and find the best solution for us."

Spain are expected to strengthen their position at the top of Group G with a third win in four matches against minnows Macedonia, who have yet to register a point.

However, Lopetegui - who will be without three of his first-choice back four with Sergio Ramos, Gerard Pique and Jordi Alba all missing - is taking nothing for granted.

"Saturday's game is difficult because we play against a good team," he added.

"We have to do things offensively and defensively to compete well and be able to master and overcome our opponents level very well.

"They are going to raise a lot of difficulties. Macedonia is the level of Albania (whom Spain took almost an hour to break down in a 2-0 win last time out), but has best strikers when counter-attacking."

Macedonia have lost all three of their Group G matches but none by more than a goal and gave Italy a huge scare last time out in Skopje.

The minnows led 2-1 going into the final 15 minutes but Italy - unbeaten in 52 World Cup and European Championship qualifiers at the time - recovered to claim a 3-2 victory with Ciro Immobile scoring twice, including a stoppage-time winner.

Now Macedonia will be hoping to cause similar problems for 2010 World Cup winners Spain.

Striker Goran Pandev said on the Macedonian Football Federation website: "If each of us performs our task and work for the collective then we can be optimistic and believe we can play a good match.

"Spain is the clear favourite, one of the world's best teams, and so it is necessary for us to be most concentrated.

"We must raise our heads again and come out with the intention to play and seek positive things.

"I believe that the other players have the motivation and desire for a big game and a fight."