David de Gea will be Spain’s starting goalkeeper at Euro 2016 as he starts against Group D rivals Czech Republic in the country’s first match.
There had been doubts over De Gea’s participation due to his implication in the Torbe sexual-abuse case, Coach Vicente del Bosque making it clear that he would not hesistate to drop the Manchester United man if he was not in a fit state to play, but he nonetheless is picked over Iker Casillas.
The custodian is protected by a back four of Juanfran, Gerard Pique, Sergio Ramos and Jordi Alba, while Cesc Fabregas joins his former Barcelona teammates Sergio Busquets and Andres Iniesta in central midfield.
Alvaro Morata is preferred to Aritz Aduriz up top and flanked by Spain’s latest centurion David Silva and Nolito, the latter of whom scored four goals in La Roja’s three preparation friendlies.
Czech Republic, meanwhile, are captained by goalkeeper Petr Cech and will look to his ex-Arsenal colleague and No 10 Tomas Rosicky for inspiration.
Spain: De Gea; Juanfran, Pique, Ramos, Alba; Cesc, Busquets, Iniesta; Silva, Morata, Nolito
Czech Republic: Cech; Kaderabek, Sivok, Hubnik, Limbersky; Darida, Plasil; G Selassie, Rosicky, Krejci; Necid
Referee: Marcinak [POL]
