Andorra Faces Montenegro in Friendly Tonight Before San Marino Clash

The Andorran senior national football team takes on Montenegro this evening at 6pm in Podgorica's Gradski Stadion, kicking off two friendlies ahead of the UEFA Nations League campaign this autumn. Rivals remain unconfirmed pending play-off outcomes between Gibraltar and Latvia, and Malta and Luxembourg. The squad follows up with San Marino on Tuesday at 6pm in Serravalle's Stadio Olímpico di Serravalle.

Training kicked off at Girona's Torremirona complex after the Andorran Football Federation released the squad list this morning. Coach Koldo Álvarez de Eulate noted key absences: his son, goalkeeper Iker Álvarez de Eulate, who stays with Córdoba amid their two-point lead over FC Andorra and a tough schedule against Mirandés today and Deportivo La Coruña on Tuesday; regular keeper Carlos Marín is injured. Joan Cervós also sits out with a serious knee injury.

New inclusions since the Finland friendly are goalkeeper Mauro Rabelo, centre-back Joel Guillén, right winger Àlex Martínez, veteran midfielder Marc Pujol, defender-midfielder Marc Vales and forward Guillaume López. Excluded are goalkeeper Xisco Pires, midfielder Eric Vales, defender-midfielder Marc Rebés and forward Èric Balastegui.

Goalkeepers: Josep Gomes, Álex Ruiz, Mauro Rabelo.

Defenders: Dacu, Èric de Pablos, Christian García, Marc García, Joel Guillén, Max Llovera, Kiko Pomares, Chus Rubio, Moi San Nicolás.

Midfielders: Pau Babot, Èric de las Heras, Izan Fernández, Àlex Martínez, Marc Pujol, João Teixeira, Marc Vales.

Forwards: Guillaume López, Cucu Fernández, Jordi Aláez, Berto Rosas.

Marc Vales, approaching his 103rd cap at 35, emphasised defensive strength and game control to counter Montenegro's physical, direct play from talents like Stevan Jovetić (Omonia Nicosia), Sead Hakšabanović, Andrija Bulatović (Lens), Andrej Kostić and others including Igor Nikic (Mirandés), Stefan Savić (ex-Atlético Madrid) and Milutin Osmajić (ex-Cádiz). Now led by former Juventus striker Mirko Vučinić following Robert Prosinečki's departure, Montenegro fields a competitive side with a strong 2006 generation.

Koldo Álvarez de Eulate pointed to the four-month break since Finland, stressing ball possession, consistency and the value of all matches despite their friendly status. He praised Montenegro's quality and outlined a home friendly for June. Berto Rosas brings firepower with 13 goals this season for UD Logroñés in Segunda RFEF.

The under-21s host England tonight at 7.30pm in a European Championship Group D qualifier at Estadi Nacional, with free entry. Sitting fourth with six points after more matches than some rivals, they crushed Republic of Ireland 4-0 in November. England lead unbeaten, winning all five games including October's 1-0 victory at Derby via Tyrique George's 41st-minute goal; they have yet to concede. Coach Eloy Casals called it their biggest test, aiming to disrupt England's rhythm, avoid an early goal and regain possession as in the reverse fixture. "It's the greatest challenge we can face in this phase, and we approach it with the excitement of showing we're ready to compete against anyone," he said. Key England players include Jobe Bellingham, Ethan Nwaneri, Rico Lewis, Tyrique George and others like Josh Acheampong and Myles Lewis-Skelly. New call-ups are defender Dani de Sa and midfielders Pere Simonet, Yedid Santaella and Albert Solanes; Marc Torné and Aron Rodrigo are out.

U21 Goalkeepers: Adrià Cornella, Marc de Castro.

Defenders: Guillem Acosta, Guillem Carrau, Àlex Cornella, Marc Rodríguez, Biel Borra, Ian Olivera, Dani de Sa.

Midfielders: Ot Remolins, Nil Linares, Hugo Ferreira, Nelson Mendes, Alex Rente, Pere Simonet, Yedid Santaella, Albert Solanes.

Forwards: Gerard Solà, Marcel Carrau, Iván Rodríguez, Jan Gumà.

The under-19s, coached by Óscar Sonejee, begin Euro qualifiers in Romania on March 25 against the hosts at 1pm, Denmark on the 28th at 3pm and Liechtenstein on the 31st at noon.