Last stand for stars of Spain’s golden generation
(AP): fter recent struggles at major tournaments, the remaining stars of Spain’s golden generation could be facing a last stand at the World Cup.
Winning two European Championships and a first World Cup, the Spanish were unstoppable from 2008 to 2012.
But they began to falter at the 2014 World Cup, failing to advance from the group stage, and were eliminated from Euro 2016 in the round of 16. There were doubts new coach Julen Lopetegui could even secure qualification for this year’s World Cup before Spain cruised through a group that included Italy.
Lopetegui successfully blended emerging talent with the experience provided by veterans to
Aqualify for an 11th straight World Cup.
Lopetegui was chosen as Vicente Del Bosque’s successor in 2016 after winning trophies of his own with Spain – at the under-19 and under-21 editions of the European Championships.
But the former goalkeeper’s experience coaching at the top level was limited to a couple of lacklustre seasons with Porto.
The critics who questioned Lopetegui’s credentials were silenced when the mild-mannered coach took Spain on a 19game unbeaten run.
Calls for the return of Iker Casillas were quickly subdued as David de Gea impressed with Manchester United and the national team.
Casillas was relegated to the bench for the first time at Euro 2016 and was left out of the squad altogether for Russia.
Lopetegui picked Athletic Bilbao’s Kepa Arrizabalaga and Napoli’s Pepe Reina as the reserve goalkeepers.
This is likely to be the last World Cup for Sergio Ramos and Gerard Pique, whose central defensive partnership formed the bedrock of successes in major tournaments.
The 31-year-old Pique plans to stop playing for Spain after the World Cup, and there is a chance the 32-year-old Ramos will join him in international retirement.
They have been playing together in Spain’s defence since the 2010 World Cup, when Ramos still played at right back.
Completing the back line will be Jordi Alba, Pique’s teammate at Barcelona, on the left and Dani Carvajal, Ramos’ teammate at Madrid, on the right.
Andres Iniesta will be 34 when the World Cup starts and it’s likely to mark the masterful playmaker’s farewell to the international stage.