Monse Thome faces his most demanding roster yet with the national team: four dilemmas and a great test | Relief
They all want to be there, and only 18 will make it, plus four stars. Montse Tome faces her toughest list – apart from the one she gave on her arrival in the midst of the RFEF crisis – since she took over as coach last September. The Asturian coach will announce this Wednesday, the last day of the FIFA submission deadline, his final call-up for 18 players, with four reserves. for the Olympic Games.
The selector must make the first selection, from 26 to 22 players. And in this last group you will have to differentiate between the drafted (18) and the reserves (4). A distinction that adds even more headaches to the most demanding and short list, far from the usual calls, from 23 to 26 football players. All this opens up a whole range of options and doubts.
The four players selected as reserves will only play as long as the injury is serious. So that leaves a difficult scenario for these players. If they were to take a position in the squad, it would rule out the injured player who would not be able to play again. That would leave four players who would travel and train with their teammates, but would not play unless there was a serious setback. They will also not receive any prizes if the national team wins a medal at these Olympic Games. An atypical situation that balances between the possibility and the fact of participating in a challenge without the a priori possibility of competing.
In addition, Montse Tome is adjusting profiles and opportunities to build a tough list for the national team’s first Olympic competition, a favourite for gold after winning the World Cup and Nations League. The coach, a student football player, will be looking for versatile players. Something she has already shown a passion for in her time as a coach with players like Laia Aleixandri, who can play as a central defender, as a defensive midfielder and even as a striker, or Yana Fernandes, who she has chosen as a coach in this last stretch, is realizing his potential in defense, where he can start in the defensive axis or as a right winger.
As for the turn, Tome would also have other options, such as Patri Guijarro, after his return to the national team and taking into account that he also defends as a central defender or plays as an inter, or Teresa AbelleiraAlong with them there will be other versatile footballers such as She is a Battlewinger on both flanks or players in more attacking lines such as Mariona Caldenti, who can play as a striker, inside and as a “9”, or Alexia Putellas, a midfielder who can also play as a “false 9”, among others.
No debate at the gate and already back with the rest of the lines
The goal is an area with the fewest unknowns, including due to the smaller number of players. Kata Coll and Misa Rodriguez are in Tome’s plans and they are aiming to make the final list, with Elene Lete being one of the four reserves. In the latter case, it should be noted that the regulations stipulate that one of the four must be a goalkeeper. Therefore, three goalkeepers will go.
Questions arise in defense. Irene Paredes, Laia Aleixandri, Ona Batlle and Olga Carmonawhich are among the most frequently used by Montse Tome, are trying to be included among those named, and it remains to be seen which names will be discarded among the various names: Leila Ouahabi, Laia Codina, Jana Fernandez, Oyhane Hernandez and Maria Mendez.
The engine room also has its favourites to be included in the official list of the Olympic Games. This is the case with Aitana Bonmati, the current winner of the “Golden Ball” and “Best”, who was chosen as the best player of the Champions League this season. Next to her, Her Barça teammates Alexia Putellas and Patry Guijarro will be there.one of the “Las 15” who returned to the preliminary list to be part of the Spanish team in France.
Barring a surprise, Jenny Hermoso will also be in attendance, joining the camp this Wednesday after becoming Mexican champion with Tigres. It remains to be seen what will happen to Teresa Abelleira, one of the best midfielders at the World Cup.in which he excelled in the position of Patry Guijarro, and less common players such as Maite Oros and Vicky Lopez, who could be one of the reserves.
In attack, the dilemma multiplies. Although Mariona Caldentey, Athena del Castillo or Salma Paralluelo strive to beGiven their regularity in being called up to the national team, there are other players who would not be a surprise in the final list. This is the case with world champions such as Eva Navarro, Alba Redondo or Lucia Garcia. one of the players most used by Montse Tomé. As a doubt and possible reserve, Inma Gabarro, one of the young forwards with the highest figures, can be considered.
Montse Tome’s Olympic Pre-List
Goalkeepers: Kata Coll, Helen Lete and Misa Rodriguez.
Protection: Laia Aleixandri, Leila Ouahabi, Laia Codina, Jana Fernandez, Oyhan Hernandez, Maria Mendez, Irene Paredes, Ona Batlle and Olga Carmona.
Midfielders: Teresa Abelleira, Aitana Bonmati, Jenny Hermoso, Vicky Lopes, Maite Oroz, Alexia Putellas and Patry Guijarro.
Front: Mariona Caldentey, Athena del Castillo, Inma Gabarro, Lucia Garcia, Eva Navarro, Salma Paralluelo, Alba Redondo.