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Guillem Balague: Spain in a good place as Lopetegui plots World Cup glory in Russia
International friendlies might have their critics but when it comes to ascertaining just where you are coming into a World Cup, then a game against the current holders and many people’s tip to repeat the performance, is about as good as it gets.
Not surprisingly, therefore, Spain manager Julen Lopetegui will be more than delighted with the performance in Dusseldorf against Germany, not merely because of the way his side played but also because it probably went a long way to confirming what he almost certainly already knew, namely his best starting XI for Spain’s opening group game, a vital match against Portugal in Sochi on June 15.
There are still however a couple of issues that might need resolving but by and large the portents are goods for a side that look to have re-discovered the passion and hunger that saw them take two European Championships either side of a World Cup as they ruled the footballing world from 2008-2012.
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Most noticeably of course is the continuing debate as to who is going to fill the number nine spot, with one of the main suspects, Chelsea’s Alvaro Morata not even called up into Lopetegui’s squad for neither the Germany game nor the match against Argentina at Atletico Madrid’s Wanda Metropolitana Stadium.
Despite that I still see Morata getting the nod along with Diego Costa,and then either Valencia’s Rodrigo or Celta Vigo’s Iago Aspas fighting over the final place. Both players have had excellent campaigns for their respective clubs and add a different layer to the attack.
They are not false number nines who fight to distract and beat centre backs, but two who, like in the goal against Germany, appear in the box from nowhere in the hope to be found by one of the quality midfielders.
The only other potential problem could be that of a second holding centre midfielder, to play alongside, or, if need be, replace the seemingly irreplaceable Sergio Busquets who in the opinion of many – yours truly included – has for many years now been the world’s best in that position, bar none.
Unfortunately – or perhaps fortunately, because it gave Lopetegui the chance to try others in the position in the recent friendlies – Busquets is currently out with a broken toe sustained in Barcelona’s Champions League win against Chelsea.
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Should Busquets suffer an injury in Russia, then it was certainly useful to see what options were available with Thiago being tried first and then Saul Niguez moving there.
Neither showed as much potential in Busquet’s position as that displayed by Villarreal youngster, Rodri, who in an excellent cameo, gave more than a good account of himself although it is difficult to guess if with just 10 minutes of international football under his belt that Lopetegui will risk taking the youngster to Russia as cover for, or to accompany, Busquets in front of the defence. But Rodri, who will be at Atletico Madrid next season, is his natural replacement in times to come.
Lopetegui’s search in that department would suggest that, despite his stating there are still chances for other players to break into his final squad, he will not be plumping for the obvious choice for the position for many, namely Bayern Munich’s, Javi Martinez, a player that has never seemed to figure in his plans.
That apart there are nine players that would seem to be nailed-on certainties for a place in the starting line up.
Barring injury, the brilliant David de Gea (Manchester United) is unquestionably the country’s number one goalkeeper while Dani Carvajal (Real Madrid) and Jordi Alba (Barcelona) will certainly be first choice full backs.
Swansong
Gerard Piqué has already said this will be his last major tournament for Spain and it could well be Sergio Ramos’s swansong as well, although currently they are without question Spain’s best two centre backs option.
The central defensive midfield position aside it is in the middle of the park that Spain has had, and continues to enjoy riches beyond compare, which means that many of the old guard like Juan Mata (Man U), Cesc Fabregas and Pedro (both Chelsea) don’t even get a call-up into the squad.
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It’s not quite ‘all-change’ however with the legend that is Andres Iniesta, perhaps now to be used more sparingly and like the best vintage wine, mainly for special occasions, but still at the age of 33 more than worth his place in arguably the best midfield in the world.
Similarly Manchester City’s David Silva has also enjoyed a wonderful – if personally traumatic – season and a first choice starting XI without him featuring is simply unimaginable,
Revered as they might be by their clubs, internationally Spain will be looking for the likes of Koke and, particularly Isco, to graduate to the very top table, both of them as De Gea, Rodrigo, Koke or Carvajal part of the 2013 U21 European championship side that had Lopetegui at the helm.
I always thought that this was potentially Isco’s World Cup although he has not been helped by not always being an automatic starter at Real Madrid. That said, back in 2015, Iker Casillas predicted that Isco would go on to become Spain’s most influential player and the Russia World Cup would be the perfect opportunity to prove him – and me – right. He recovers his happiness in a red shirt after a season in which he feels let down by his manager at club level.
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Koke too, although already something of a veteran with 37 caps to his name hasn’t quite made that transition to being the player many have cited as the successor to the genius that was Xavi, not in style or leadership, but in influence in the squad both on and off the ball. Nobody can do what Xavi did but Spain needs a midfielder that fits well in the style preferred by Lopetegui -mostly possession but sometimes able to start the counter attack. The World Cup in Russia could see him finally step into his shoes.
Will Spain win it? I don’t know, but I do know that they can which is an altogether different thing. They will compete, they will make things difficult to every rival they find. Brazil, Argentina and Germany will be the teams to beat.
