Spain Facing Period of Transition Under Lopetegui
Spain have made a strong start to their 2018 World Cup qualifying campaign in their bid to return to their former greatness in Russia in two years time. La Roja have produced underwhelming performances in their last two major competitions, with players from their previous triumphs beginning to edge past the peaks of their respective careers.
New manager Julen Lopetegui has a tough task on his hands overseeing the transition towards the new generation, but his side are making the right noises thus far in Group G, winning three out of their four contests. Their only dropped points have come against Italy, the side that knocked them out of Euro 2016 during the summer.
La Roja will have to overcome Giampiero Ventura’s men – who are going through a similar phase in the development of their squad - in order to qualify automatically for the tournament, and are backed in the latest international football betting odds at 4/11 to reach the finals as winners of Group G.
After winning the World Cup in 2010, much was expected of Vicente Del Bosque’s men in their defence of the crown, with fate conspiring to put them in a group with the Netherlands, who they defeated in the final in South Africa. The Oranje got their revenge thrashing Spain 5-1, while La Roja’s defeat at the hands of Chile put them out of the competition in just their second match.
The pressure was on for them to get their form back to its peak for the Euros, and they got off to a strong start brushing aside the Czech Republic and Turkey in their opening two matches. However, they were played off the park by Croatia, losing 2-1 forcing them to settle for second place in the group.
That defeat paired them with Italy in the last-16 and again they were dominated all over the park, crashing out of the Euros in a 2-0 defeat to the Azzurri. Del Bosque stood down from the manager’s position, allowing Lopetegui to make the move to become the nation’s full-time boss, having spent four years coaching Spain’s youth outfits.
Due to his previous exploits he is the right man to take La Roja, although he still has the experience of Andres Iniesta, Sergio Busquets, Sergio Ramos and Gerard Pique to call on to make up the spine of his squad. However, Lopetegui will have no fear over blooding impressive youngsters who are thriving in La Liga, such as Marco Asensio and Saul Niguez in the middle of the park. Spain have no shortage of talent in midfield, with Koke, Thiago and Isco entering the prime of their careers, while David de Gea has the keeper’s spot locked down for the foreseeable future.
The concern for La Roja comes in the final third and in their backline. Lopetegui got a glimpse into the future with Inigo Martinez and Nacho playing at the back in their friendly against England, but neither impressed in the clash at Wembley, while even Daniel Carvajal and Sergi Roberto were far from convincing. Spain will need to find an answer soon as there is no depth behind Pique and Ramos.
Up front Lopetegui is without a prolific goalscorer, although that has never seemed to stop La Roja in the past, but if their defence struggles it could become an issue. Paco Alcacer could provide the long-term answer, but his development could take a hit playing behind Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar due to his lack of game time.
Alvaro Morata has enjoyed success in his short career at club level, but the 24-year-old has yet to break into double figures, despite playing for a quality Juventus side, which does not suggest that he will become a talisman on the international stage. Spain are well set for now, but the challenge ahead and competing in Russia where new blood will be important is an issue that Lopetegui will have to solve with just 19 months to plan.