Josep Martinez approaches Inter’s meeting with Roma carrying the weight of two difficult recent outings, against Real Madrid and Udinese, but an unexpected call from Spain has offered the goalkeeper a timely vote of confidence.
A Spain recall before a decisive Serie A afternoon
Luis de la Fuente has included the 28-year-old Inter goalkeeper in Spain’s squad for four Nations League matches involving England, Croatia and the Czech Republic. The selection arrives as Martinez prepares for a major domestic test against Roma, with his recent mistakes still part of the discussion around his place in the Nerazzurri side.
The opening in the Spain group was created by Joan Garcia’s injury. Barcelona’s first-choice goalkeeper suffered a muscle problem after slipping while going to retrieve a ball beyond the pitch during the 7-2 victory over Racing.
- Martinez has been selected for Spain’s four upcoming Nations League fixtures.
- The Inter goalkeeper replaces the injured Barcelona player Joan Garcia in the wider goalkeeping picture.
- The call-up comes shortly before Inter face Roma, following difficult matches for Martinez against Real Madrid and Udinese.
A familiar coach and an old international connection
This is not Martinez’s first experience of the senior Spain set-up. He made an unusual official appearance for the national team on 8 June 2021, when Spain played Lithuania in a friendly at Leganes.
After Sergio Busquets tested positive for Covid, the federation sent out the Under-21 side, coached by De la Fuente rather than Luis Enrique. Martinez came on in the 68th minute to replace Alvaro Fernandez, now of Deportivo. Although the circumstances were exceptional, the match counted as an official senior international fixture.
De la Fuente’s faith in players he has developed
The latest selection also reflects a relationship built earlier in Martinez’s career. He played three times for Spain Under-21s in autumn 2020, again under De la Fuente, who has regularly trusted players he worked with in Spain’s youth teams.
That long-term approach has been evident in the coach’s senior squad. Rodri, Mikel Merino and Unai Simon were all part of the Spain Under-19 team that won the European Championship in 2015 under De la Fuente.
Born in the Valencian Community and developed in Barcelona’s academy, Martinez has now established himself as Inter’s starting goalkeeper. Spain’s decision gives him encouragement at a delicate point in his club season, while the Roma match offers an immediate chance to answer on the pitch.
