Morata: I have to give more

Alvaro Morata reveals he thought he’d lost his place in the Spain squad and has to ‘give more than what I have been doing.’

Morata has spoken to Marca ahead of La Roja’s friendly against Italy, a game in which the striker will come up against teammates from his club, Juventus, though Giorgio Chiellini won’t be one of them as he’s out with injury.

“That he’s not here is a joy for me. So he can rest for Juventus games and so he doesn’t kick me,” Morata joked.

“Leo Bonucci and Andrea Barzagli are two of the best defenders in the world. And Gianluigi Buffon? He’s helped me a lot since I arrived.”

It was suggested to Morata that it took an impressive performance as Juve were knocked out of the Champions League against Bayern Munich to confirm his place in the Spain squad, even though he’s scored as many goals already this season as he did last year.

“Being self-critical I knew I wasn’t giving the level expected of me. I wasn’t convinced I was being called-up,” he admitted.

“The truth is the Coach always had confidence in me. That gives me peace of mind, but I know I have to give more than what I have been doing.

“The national team is my life. Going to the Euros is my life. If I don’t go? That’d be the opposite of life.”

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Tags Alvaro Morata Juventus Spain
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