Barca and Real players split sides when recruiting
According to El Chiringuito TV channel, two groups of Barca and Real players stood separately and almost did not talk to each other during the training session on March 21. They were also divided into different exercise groups to avoid possible stress.
"Coach De la Fuente faced a big challenge when he first focused on the Spain team, when he had to heal two groups of players who were divided," commented the British newspaper Sunsport.
This is Spain's first gathering under Luis De La Fuente - who replaced Luis Enrique after the 2022 World Cup. He made a personnel revolution when he eliminated 16 players who attended the 2022 World Cup, including stars like Eric Garcia, Jordi Alba, Ferran Torres, Marco Asensio or Ansu Fati. In addition, Cesar Azpilicueta and Pedri are absent due to injury, and Seergio Busquets has retired from the national team.
On March 19, Barca beat Real 2-1 to widen the gap with the giants to 12 points in LA Liga. The owner of the Camp Nou has thus taken a long step towards the first La Liga championship since the 2018-2019 season.
Controversy broke out when VAR denied Asensio's goal in the 81st minute, when the score was 1-1, for offside. After the match, Carlo Ancelotti expressed doubts about the VAR's offside identification lines and suggested that La Liga apply semi-automatic offside catch technology like the 2022 World Cup. Both Barca and Xavi said that the Italian coach developed the game. baseless language.
Not long after these controversies, two Barca players - Gavi and Alejandro Balde - joined the Spanish team. At the same time, three members of Real - including Dani Carvajal, Nacho and Dani Ceballos - were also called up.
In addition to the controversy about Asensio's disallowed goal, Real was also unhappy with Gavi's behavior. In the 88th minute, Ceballos collided and made Robert Lewandowski angry. After that, Gavi took revenge and hit him cold, leaving the senior on the field. Referee Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea did not observe the situation and VAR did not participate. However, the La Liga organizers can review the situation and fine the 18-year-old Barca midfielder.
After the match, Ceballos replied to the media that Gavi should have received a red card. In addition, according to Spanish reporter Adrian Sanchez, many Real players have talked to Barca's main team to complain about Gavi's attitude. They believe that the club's experienced players need to talk to the player born in 2004 about his behavior and manners on the pitch.
On March 25, Spain opened Euro 2024 qualifying with a match against Norway, then a guest on the Scottish field three days later. La Fuente's teachers and students are in Group A with Norway, Scotland, Georgia and Cyrpus. The top two teams in the group will qualify for the Euro 2024 finals in Germany.
