Latest news with #Isco
The Irish Sun
07-07-2025
- Business
- The Irish Sun
Former Champions League club to be kicked out of World Cup 2030 venue and forced into athletics stadium with one stand
MALAGA have been forced to move to an athletics stadium with only one stand that can't host HALF of the club's original capacity. The Spanish outfit will have to leave their home of 84 years at Rosaleda in 2026 to spend at least the next two seasons at Estadio Ciudad de Malaga. Advertisement 4 Malaga have been forced to move to an athletics stadium 4 Malaga will have to spend at least the next two seasons away from Rosaleda 4 The Rosaleda will undergo a redevelopment project ahead of the 2030 World Cup That is because the team's stadium will undergo a redevelopment project worth £222million ahead of the 2030 World Cup, which will be co-hosted by The Rosaleda can hold up to 30,000 fans but Malaga's new temporary accommodation can only host a maximum of 12,500. In fact, the venue currently has a seating capacity of 7,500 but reports suggest another 5,000 seats will be added. The club were initially hoping for an expansion that would have allowed 27,000 seats. Advertisement Read More on Football However, the city didn't approve that redevelopment as there is a busy road leading to the port that runs just next to the stadium. That led to a furious reaction from Malaga fans with associations issuing a joint statement against the decision. The supporters accused the city as well as the Andalusian and Spanish government of "empty promises, projects without a timetable and propaganda slogans" The fans were mainly up in arms regarding the lack of progress in the project to redevelop Rosaleda as there is no set timetable regarding the works' completion. Advertisement Most read in Football Exclusive Exclusive CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS A statement read: " Behind this paralysis there seem to be political and economic interests that, instead of protecting the club's heritage and future, seek to make it cease to exist . " We demand that you GUARANTEE us a minimum of 23,000 seats at any time of redevelopment ." Inside Aston Villa's £100MILLION new stadium plans including Premier League's BIGGEST beer hall Malaga are one of Spain's most esteemed clubs where a number of notable players have competed in the past, such as Isco, Santi Cazorla and Advertisement The club has also left its mark in Europe having made it to the quarter-finals of the Champions League back in 2013, that was 10 years after making it this far in the Europa League. 4 Malaga are furious with the ongoing situation
Yahoo
07-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
After 6-year absence, Isco returns to Spain's squad for Nations League semifinal. Rodri still out
MADRID (AP) — Isco is back with Spain's national team after a six-year absence, while Rodri remains out after a long injury layoff. Coach Luis de la Fuente on Monday named 26 players for the Nations League semifinal against France on June 5 in Stuttgart. Germany and Portugal will play in the other semifinal on June 4 in Munich. Advertisement The 33-year-old Isco, the former Real Madrid player who is now with Real Betis, hadn't been called up for Spain since 2019. His solid performances for Betis in the Spanish league earned him a spot in the national team again. 'I've never paid attention to how long they've been away," De la Fuente said. "It was the right time for Isco to return, he'll be there and he'll contribute, because if I had thought otherwise, he wouldn't have been there.' Rodri recently returned for Manchester City after a long layoff because of a serious knee injury, but De la Fuente felt it was too soon to bring him back to the national team. 'He's very important but has been out for eight months and played only 10 minutes," De la Fuente said. 'I've spoken with him and we thought it wasn't the time to take any risks.' Advertisement The coach did select midfielder Gavi, who also sustained a serious knee injury but played often for Barcelona this year. 'He's at a high level and has room for improvement,' De la Fuente said. 'He has to keep working to maintain the level he was at a little over a year ago.' Included in the list, as expected, were Barcelona players Lamine Yamal, Pedri and Dani Olmo. Athletic's Nico Williams also was called up. Some of those missing were defenders Iñigo Martínez of Barcelona and Raúl Asencio of Real Madrid. ___ Squad: Goalkeepers: David Raya (Arsenal), Álex Remiro (Real Sociedad), Unai Simón (Athletic Bilbao) Advertisement Defenders: Marc Cucurella (Chelsea), Óscar Mingueza (Celta Vigo), Dani Vivian (Athletic Bilbao), Pau Cubarsí (Barcelona), Pedro Porro (Tottenham), Alejandro Grimaldo (Bayer Leverkusen), Dean Huijsen (Real Madrid), Robin Le Normand (Atletico Madrid) Midfielders: Martín Zubimendi (Real Sociedad), Mikel Merino (Arsenal), Gavi (Barcelona), Alex Baena (Villarreal), Fabián Ruiz (Paris Saint-Germain), Aleix García (Bayer Leverkusen), Pedri (Barcelona), Isco (Real Betis). Forwards: Álvaro Morata (Galatasaray), Lamine Yamal (Barcelona), Samu Omorodion (Porto), Nico Williams (Athletic Bilbao), Yeremy Pino (Villarreal), Mikel Oyarzabal (Real Sociedad), Dani Olmo (Barcelona). ___ AP soccer: Tales Azzoni, The Associated Press
Kuwait Times
05-06-2025
- Sport
- Kuwait Times
Spain target ‘enormously important' Nations League's title defense
Yamal, Williams young duo lead the charge for the defending champs BARCELONA: Spain are aiming to become the first side to defend the Nations League trophy, with Luis de la Fuente's side going from strength to strength on the international stage ahead of next year's World Cup. The coach enjoys recalling La Roja's triumph at the 2023 tournament, which was an early sign that a young Spain side were heading back to the top. It proved the springboard to Euro 2024 glory and De la Fuente wants to continue Spain's resurgence by retaining it this summer in Germany. It would bode well ahead of the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada next summer where Spain will be among the favorites. They face France in the Nations League semi-finals in Stuttgart before a potential final against Germany or Portugal. 'We attach enormous importance to it - it's almost more difficult than a European Championship, and we want to be the first team to win it twice,' De la Fuente told reporters last week. 'We want to continue competing at the highest level with these teams.' After European Championship wins in 2008 and 2012, sandwiching their World Cup 2010 triumph in South Africa, the Spanish national team slumped. Poor outings at the Russia and Qatar World Cups started to fade from memory, though, as De la Fuente's side beat Italy and Croatia to win the Nations League. It helped him on a personal level too, with many doubting his credentials and blaming him for an embarrassing defeat by Scotland in Euro 2024 qualifying. The Scots beat De la Fuente's Spain in March 2023 in what was their last competitive defeat, 23 matches ago. Spain beat Italy, Germany and France on the way to the Euro 2024 final, where they got the better of England to claim their first major trophy for 12 years. The worrying thing for the rest of the world is that De la Fuente's Spain team remains hungry, with many players yet to reach their peak. The side is led by Barcelona's teenage winger Lamine Yamal, who turned 17 on the eve of the Euro final, and on the opposite flank Athletic Bilbao's Nico Williams, 22, also has his best years ahead of him. Barcelona midfield maestro Pedri, 22 as well, pulls the strings, while there are emerging talents in other areas including Porto striker Samu Aghehowa and new Real Madrid signing Dean Huijsen. Isco's return Despite a focus on younger players, De la Fuente showed he is not stubborn by turning to Real Betis midfielder Isco. After a superb season in which the former Real Madrid playmaker took the Andalusians to the Conference League final, the 33-year-old finally got the call he craved. Some said De la Fuente should have given Isco a chance last summer but the coach was proven right as his team went on to win the Euros. 'He's going to add a lot - if we had any doubts, he wouldn't have been here,' said De la Fuente. 'He could have been at the Euros, or not, but those who had to be there, were there.' Isco's presence gives Spain even more depth in a midfield packed with quality, and one which is still without Manchester City's Rodri Hernandez who has yet to return to action after missing most of the season injured. 'In Spain, we are privileged to have many very good footballers,' De la Fuente said during the Euros. 'I think they are the best players in the world for many reasons.' In almost every position the coach is blessed with multiple strong options, with the team perhaps only short of one elite striker - although it has not held them back. Aghehowa, 21, could develop into that player, although De la Fuente ran through all of his possible options there, including veteran Alvaro Morata, Dani Olmo as a false nine, or Mikel Oyarzabal, who scored the winner against England. 'This is a team, and in that team, everyone contributes their bit to make a stronger, more solid group,' said De la Fuente. 'Samu is fantastic, Alvaro, Mikel, Dani... we can play in many ways with different players and that is exactly what our strength is.' — AFP
Express Tribune
05-06-2025
- Sport
- Express Tribune
Spain target Nations League defence
Lamine Yamal is a key player for Spain in the Nations League after helping them to win the Euros in 2024. Photo: AFP/File Spain are aiming to become the first side to defend the Nations League trophy, with Luis de la Fuente's side going from strength to strength on the international stage ahead of next year's World Cup. The coach enjoys recalling La Roja's triumph at the 2023 tournament, which was an early sign that a young Spain side were heading back to the top. It proved the springboard to Euro 2024 glory and De la Fuente wants to continue Spain's resurgence by retaining it this summer in Germany. It would bode well ahead of the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada next summer where Spain will be among the favourites. They face France in the Nations League semi-finals in Stuttgart before a potential final against Germany or Portugal. "We attach enormous importance to it – it's almost more difficult than a European Championship, and we want to be the first team to win it twice," De la Fuente told reporters last week. "We want to continue competing at the highest level with these teams." After European Championship wins in 2008 and 2012, sandwiching their World Cup 2010 triumph in South Africa, the Spanish national team slumped. Poor outings at the Russia and Qatar World Cups started to fade from memory, though, as De la Fuente's side beat Italy and Croatia to win the Nations League. It helped him on a personal level too, with many doubting his credentials and blaming him for an embarrassing defeat by Scotland in Euro 2024 qualifying. The Scots beat De la Fuente's Spain in March 2023 in what was their last competitive defeat, 23 matches ago. Spain beat Italy, Germany and France on the way to the Euro 2024 final, where they got the better of England to claim their first major trophy for 12 years. The worrying thing for the rest of the world is that De la Fuente's Spain team remains hungry, with many players yet to reach their peak. The side is led by Barcelona's teenage winger Lamine Yamal, who turned 17 on the eve of the Euro final, and on the opposite flank Athletic Bilbao's Nico Williams, 22, also has his best years ahead of him. Barcelona midfield maestro Pedri, 22 as well, pulls the strings, while there are emerging talents in other areas including Porto striker Samu Aghehowa and new Real Madrid signing Dean Huijsen. Isco's return Despite a focus on younger players, De la Fuente showed he is not stubborn by turning to Real Betis midfielder Isco. After a superb season in which the former Real Madrid playmaker took the Andalusians to the Conference League final, the 33-year-old finally got the call he craved. Some said De la Fuente should have given Isco a chance last summer but the coach was proven right as his team went on to win the Euros. "He's going to add a lot – if we had any doubts, he wouldn't have been here," said De la Fuente. "He could have been at the Euros, or not, but those who had to be there, were there." Isco's presence gives Spain even more depth in a midfield packed with quality, and one which is still without Manchester City's Rodri Hernandez who has yet to return to action after missing most of the season injured. "In Spain, we are privileged to have many very good footballers," De la Fuente said during the Euros. "I think they are the best players in the world for many reasons." In almost every position the coach is blessed with multiple strong options, with the team perhaps only short of one elite striker – although it has not held them back. Aghehowa, 21, could develop into that player, although De la Fuente ran through all of his possible options there, including veteran Alvaro Morata, Dani Olmo as a false nine, or Mikel Oyarzabal, who scored the winner against England. "This is a team, and in that team, everyone contributes their bit to make a stronger, more solid group," said De la Fuente. "Samu is fantastic, Alvaro, Mikel, Dani... we can play in many ways with different players and that is exactly what our strength is."
NDTV
04-06-2025
- Business
- NDTV
Spain Target 'Enormously Important' Nations League Defence
Spain are aiming to become the first side to defend the Nations League trophy, with Luis de la Fuente's side going from strength to strength on the international stage ahead of next year's World Cup. The coach enjoys recalling La Roja's triumph at the 2023 tournament, which was an early sign that a young Spain side were heading back to the top. It proved the springboard to Euro 2024 glory and De la Fuente wants to continue Spain's resurgence by retaining it this summer in Germany. It would bode well ahead of the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada next summer where Spain will be among the favourites. They face France in the Nations League semi-finals in Stuttgart before a potential final against Germany or Portugal. "We attach enormous importance to it -- it's almost more difficult than a European Championship, and we want to be the first team to win it twice," De la Fuente told reporters last week. "We want to continue competing at the highest level with these teams." After European Championship wins in 2008 and 2012, sandwiching their World Cup 2010 triumph in South Africa, the Spanish national team slumped. Poor outings at the Russia and Qatar World Cups started to fade from memory, though, as De la Fuente's side beat Italy and Croatia to win the Nations League. It helped him on a personal level too, with many doubting his credentials and blaming him for an embarrassing defeat by Scotland in Euro 2024 qualifying. The Scots beat De la Fuente's Spain in March 2023 in what was their last competitive defeat, 23 matches ago. Spain beat Italy, Germany and France on the way to the Euro 2024 final, where they got the better of England to claim their first major trophy for 12 years. The worrying thing for the rest of the world is that De la Fuente's Spain team remains hungry, with many players yet to reach their peak. The side is led by Barcelona's teenage winger Lamine Yamal, who turned 17 on the eve of the Euro final, and on the opposite flank Athletic Bilbao's Nico Williams, 22, also has his best years ahead of him. Barcelona midfield maestro Pedri, 22 as well, pulls the strings, while there are emerging talents in other areas including Porto striker Samu Aghehowa and new Real Madrid signing Dean Huijsen. - Isco's return - Despite a focus on younger players, De la Fuente showed he is not stubborn by turning to Real Betis midfielder Isco. After a superb season in which the former Real Madrid playmaker took the Andalusians to the Conference League final, the 33-year-old finally got the call he craved. Some said De la Fuente should have given Isco a chance last summer but the coach was proven right as his team went on to win the Euros. "He's going to add a lot -- if we had any doubts, he wouldn't have been here," said De la Fuente. "He could have been at the Euros, or not, but those who had to be there, were there." Isco's presence gives Spain even more depth in a midfield packed with quality, and one which is still without Manchester City's Rodri Hernandez who has yet to return to action after missing most of the season injured. "In Spain, we are privileged to have many very good footballers," De la Fuente said during the Euros. "I think they are the best players in the world for many reasons." In almost every position the coach is blessed with multiple strong options, with the team perhaps only short of one elite striker -- although it has not held them back. Aghehowa, 21, could develop into that player, although De la Fuente ran through all of his possible options there, including veteran Alvaro Morata, Dani Olmo as a false nine, or Mikel Oyarzabal, who scored the winner against England. "This is a team, and in that team, everyone contributes their bit to make a stronger, more solid group," said De la Fuente. "Samu is fantastic, Alvaro, Mikel, Dani... we can play in many ways with different players and that is exactly what our strength is." (Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
