Spain: Return of the king?
Ten years ago, the Spanish national football team was about to embark on a period of unprecedented success, winning both the 2008 and 2012 European Championships as well as in the 2010 World Cup.
Their unique brand of "tiki-taka" passing football won them many admirers, and ensured the team's place in football folklore.
However, as Spain's core players began to age, the "invincible fleet" that once conquered the world began to fall from grace. At the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, they failed to advance from the group stage, suffering a humiliating 1-5 defeat to the Netherlands. And at the European Championships in France two years later, 'La Furia Roja' was eliminated in the Round of 16.
After Vicente del Bosque resigned as national team manager, the Spanish Football Federation brought Julen Lopetegui in for the 2018 World
Cup qualification. Lopetegui lived up to expectations and led the team to Russia with an unbeaten record of 9 wins and 1 draw, forcing rivals Italy into the play-offs.
In fact, Spain have remained unbeaten since Lopetegui's arrival, having achieved 13 wins and 5 draws in 18 games. In their last two friendly matches, they drew 1-1 with current world champions Germany, and impressively defeated Argentina 6-1, evoking memories of the allconquering Spanish team from just a few years ago.
Lopetegui's final squad of 23 players for the World Cup contains a number of notable omissions, such as Chelsea players Alvaro Morata and Marcos Alonso, and Barcelona's Sergi Roberto. Such is Spain's strength in depth that those who did not make the final cut would form a formidable XI in their own right. But Lopetegui maintains that his final squad represents the best of Spanish football.
Spain are widely considered among the favourites to lift the World Cup in Russia. They have been placed in group ‘B’, along with Portugal, Morocco and Iran.
With the team in need of an overhaul, the new coach gave opportunities to new players such as Isco and Marco Asensio. In fact, in Spain's final list of 23 players for this World Cup, there are 10 players who have never competed in either the European Championship or the World Cup. Lopetegui's starting XI in Russia is likely to have a familiar feel to it. In goal, David De Gea is undoubtedly first choice.
In defence, Gerard Pique and Sergio Ramos will take up their usual positions in the center, with Jordi Alba and Dani Carvajal occupying the full-back spots.
Further forward, Iniesta will anchor the Spanish midfield, and will be flanked by fellow veterans Sergio Busquets and David Silva, with younger blood coming in the form of Atletico Madrid's Koke and Real Madrid midfielder Isco. Up front, Diego Costa is a bruising target man who will be a handful for opposition defenders.
This World Cup will be Iniesta's final international competition, the Barcelona veteran set to join Vissel Kobe in Japan next season.