Liverpool striker Fernando Morientes and Valencia midfielder Ruben Baraja have been left out of Spain's 23-man squad for the World Cup. Morientes and Baraja were named in Spain's provisional squad last week but were dropped in the final list announced on Monday because they, according to coach Luis Aragones, couldn't adjust to the team's strategies. "I've given priority to the players who suit the way we play, we can't put the interests of individual players before those of the team and it's stability," Aragones was quoted as saying by the Spanish Football Federation's official website. Morientes scored nine goals only with Liverpool this season while Baraja suffered a disappointing campaign with the former UEFA Cup Champions. Despite a poor domestic season, Baraja's Valencia team mate Carlos Marchena was picked up in the squad. Despite doubts over their fitness, Real Madrid forward Raul and Barcelona midfielder Xavi, both just back from lengthy injuries, were named for the Germany trip. "I'm not taking Marchena because he just helped us before, it's a matter of taste and I like him as a player, as for Raul, I believe in him completely and think he will have a good World Cup," Aragones said. Arsenal's teenager Cesc Fabregas and Barcelona's prodigy Andres Iniesta were both included in the squad although reports suggested that only one of the pair would appear in the World Cup.
Aragones "We have an extraordinary group of players whose average age around 24, which has to be the youngest of the World Cup and for me they are the best 23 players in the World," he considered. Spain is drawn with Ukraine, Saudi Arabia and Tunisia in group H of the World Cup and will play their first game against Ukraine on June 14th. Spain's squad: Goalkeepers: Iker Casillas (Real Madrid), Santiago Canizares (Valencia), Pepe Reina (Livepool). Defenders: Sergio Ramos and Michel Salgado (Real Madrid), Carlos Marchena (Valencia), Pablo Ibanez and Antonio Lopez (Atletico Madrid), Carles Puyol (Barcelona), Asier Del Horno (Chelsea), Juanito (Real Betis). Midfielders: Cesc Fabregas and Jose Reyes (Arsenal), Xavi and Andres Iniesta (Bracelona), Xavi Alonso and Luis Garcia (Liverpool), Joaquin (Real Betis), David Albelda (Valencia), Marcos Senna (Villareal). Forwards: Fernando Torres (Atletico Madrid), Raul (Real Madrid), David Villa (Valencia).
