Barragán benefits from Puerta's rise
Wednesday, October 4, 2006
Article summary
Right-back Antonio Barragán has been called up to the Spain party to face Italy after midfielder Antonio Puerta was promoted to the senior squad.
Article body
Antonio Barragán has been called up to the Spain squad for the UEFA European Under-21 Championship play-off against Italy after Antonio Puerta was promoted to the senior fold.
Puerta opportunity
Sevilla FC midfielder Puerta was added to Luis Aragonés's party for the UEFA EURO 2008™ Group F game with Sweden on Saturday after Real Madrid CF's José Antonio Reyes withdrew with a calf injury. Puerta's nomination means an opportunity for RC Deportivo La Coruña right-back Barragán, to whom U21 coach Iñaki Sáez turns after learning about Puerta's promotion while at the junior training camp in Aranjuez.
U19 success
Barragán, 19, becomes the third member of the victorious Spain team from this year's European U19 Championship to step up to the U21s, following in the footsteps of goalkeeper Antonio Adán and centre-back Gerard Piqué. The defender played all five matches in Poland in July as Ginés Meléndez's side defeated Scotland 2-1 in the final to take the trophy for the third time.
Away goals
Proud array
