Prior to Spain's match against Morocco in the FIFA World Cup last 16 on Friday (November 2), Chelsea defender Cesar Azpilicueta skipped the training session at Qatar University.
Additionally absent from practice was RB Leipzig winger Dani Olmo, who has appeared in every single second of La Roja's group-stage contests. In his team's 2-1 loss to Japan on December 1, Azpilicueta was taken off before halftime owing to an injury to his calf muscle.
Due to the injury, he is questionable to play against Morocco on December 6 in the Round of 16. The only previous time the Spaniard played in Qatar, it was in a 7-0 demolition of Costa Rica.
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Although he occasionally plays as a center back, manager Luis Enrique has opted to use Azpilcueta at right back a centre-back every now and then for his club.
Real Madrid's Dani Carvajal is expected to start down the right-hand side of the defense if the former Olympique de Marseille right-back remains sidelined.
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Azpilicueta's experience and leadership in big games would be a big potential miss. However, in Carvajal, they have a five-time Champions League winner to deputize.
Olmo's absence from training would also make Spain fans anxious. The 28-cap winger is one of the most rapid players that Spain possess. He keeps opposition defenders on the backfoot due to the threat of a counterattack.
Ansu Fati, Yeremy Pino, Pablo Sarabia, and Nico Williams could all be contenders to start in his position if he is absent against Morocco. To balance out the bad news, Alvaro Morata and Gavi's presence in the training session on Friday will come as a much-needed boost for Enrique.
The duo are said to be free of any fitness issues ahead of their last 16 encounter.
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