When you’re weakened, yet still overwhelming...

It was 3–0 against Bulgaria and 6–0 in Turkey. And the football world was reminded just how terrifying the current European champions can be as opponents. In October, Georgia (October 11 in Elche) and once again the troubled Bulgaria (three days later in Valladolid) will have to experience that in practice. Because even with a long list of injuries, coach Luis de la Fuente can still put together a hellish team.

If this is the group of death, then Spain is death itself

For the October World Cup qualifying challenges, De la Fuente will be without several true stars such as Nico Williams, Dani Carvajal, Fabian Ruiz, Aymeric Laporte, Fermín Lopez, and Gavi. He has also chosen not to call up Alvaro Morata, which quite possibly brings an end to the 32-year-old striker’s international career.

With 37 goals for Spain, he sits fourth on the nation’s all-time top scorers list. He hasn’t been shining at Como, is close to his 33rd birthday, and hasn’t been selected since the European Championship. It seems De la Fuente doesn’t see him in the World Cup squad.

In his place comes Porto’s Samu, who missed the last call-up through injury. Marcos Llorente is there instead of Carvajal, playing his first competitive international since the Euros. Yeremy Pino returns, while another new inclusion is Atletico’s Pablo Barrios.

His club teammate Alex Baena is also on the list, meaning Atletico are perhaps the biggest winners this time around. It should be noted that all these players have already featured for Spain before, so none are complete debutants. With Laporte injured and Fabian Ruiz still not fully fit, there is no reason for Spain to take risks — they remain a powerhouse before whom many tremble.

Because even if you shut down Lamine Yamal, there’s still Ferran Torres or Dani Olmo. If Fabian Ruiz is missing, then you must deal with Rodri or Baena. Without Morata? Well, Samu is there to give you trouble. This squad is hell. Pure hell.

SPAIN SQUAD

Goalkeepers: Unai Simon (Athletic Bilbao), David Raya (Arsenal), Alex Remiro (Real Sociedad)

Defenders: Pedro Porro (Tottenham), Marcos Llorente (Atletico Madrid), Dean Huijsen (Real Madrid), Robin Le Normand (Real Madrid), Pau Cubarsi (Barcelona), Marc Cucurella (Chelsea), Alex Grimaldo (Bayer Leverkusen)

Midfielders: Martin Zubimendi (Arsenal), Rodri (Manchester City), Pedri (Barcelona), Mikel Merino (Arsenal), Aleix Garcia (Bayer Leverkusen), Alex Baena (Atletico Madrid), Dani Olmo (Barcelona), Pablo Barrios (Atletico Madrid)

Forwards: Lamine Yamal (Barcelona), Mikel Oyarzabal (Real Sociedad), Ferran Torres (Barcelona), Samu (Porto), Yeremy Pino (Crystal Palace), Jorge de Frutos (Rayo Vallecano), Jesus Rodriguez (Como).