Playing for 90
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Spain vs Italy: Five things to watch

By Vijay Vemu

TURIN, ITALY - MARCH 20: Gianluigi Buffon (C) of Juventus FC with team mates Leonardo Bonucci (L) and Andrea Barzagli celebrate victory and his record of minutes without conceding goals at the end of the Serie A match between Torino FC and Juventus FC at Stadio Olimpico di Torino on March 20, 2016 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)
TURIN, ITALY - MARCH 20: Gianluigi Buffon (C) of Juventus FC with team mates Leonardo Bonucci (L) and Andrea Barzagli celebrate victory and his record of minutes without conceding goals at the end of the Serie A match between Torino FC and Juventus FC at Stadio Olimpico di Torino on March 20, 2016 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images) /
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(L-R) Sergi Roberto of FC Barcelona, Mohamed Elneny of Arsenal FC during the UEFA Champions League round of 16 match between FC Barcelona and Arsenal on March 16, 2015 at the CampNou stadium in Barcelona, Spain.(Photo by VI Images via Getty Images)
(L-R) Sergi Roberto of FC Barcelona, Mohamed Elneny of Arsenal FC during the UEFA Champions League round of 16 match between FC Barcelona and Arsenal on March 16, 2015 at the CampNou stadium in Barcelona, Spain.(Photo by VI Images via Getty Images) /

2. First call up for Sergi Roberto

After a splendid campaign for FC Barcelona so far, Sergi Roberto earned his first call up with Spain and he will look to try to make an impact in a crowded Spanish midfield.

With Sergio Busquets likely playing the role of the holding midfielder, Roberto will have his hands full trying to get some playing time this week. He will faced up against the likes of Isco, Koke, Juan Mata, and David Silva. All attacking players and all players that fill up another midfield spot and only leaving one open for Roberto to try to take.

That will likely come down to him, Cesc Fabregas, and Thiago. Both Fabregas and Thiago are quality players with Thiago playing more of the wing than in the middle of the park. Good luck to him as he battles for playing time.

He has played well this season filling at numerous times during injuries in the midfield.  The former Barca youth player has shown his versatility as he  even played fullback at times this season. Roberto has shown a potential to be a future player in the Barcelona midfield and his call up to Spain is another step in that journey. He may not get any playing time on the field but the experience will be something that Roberto has to build on going forward.

Next: 1. Momentum heading into Euro 2016