Coach Lopetegui gets Spain back to winning ways

THE defining moment of Spain’s miserable Euro 2016 campaign was not their limp 2-0 defeat by Italy, which knocked them out, but Pedro saying during the tournament that he regretted coming along as he was not starting games.

The Chelsea forward’s spoilt and petulant attitude was a damning indication that the team that had enraptured world football with their irresistible style of play had lost their soul.

It was also a clear sign that Vicente del Bosque, the coach who had overseen their path to glory, had lost his authority. These factors came to roost at the Stade de France, where Antonio Conte’s side pressed Spain to oblivion and sent them packing.

Spain were in need of an urgent reboot, and former journeyman goalkeeper Julen Lopetegui did not appear to be the man to provide the necessary shake-up, given his background at the Spanish Football Federation and his loyalty to disgraced ex-president Angel Maria Villar.

But the new coach was quietly ruthless and knew exactly what was required. His first act was to remove Pedro and his Chelsea teammate Cesc Fabregas from the fold, and most crucially, drop Iker Casillas, the long-standing captain who was no longer the goalkeeper he once was. In came a host of exceedingly talented youngsters such as Isco, Rodrigo, Saul Niguez and Marco Asensio, many of whom Lopetegui has known since they were teenagers when he was coach of the U19 and U21 sides, winning European Championships with both age groups.

Rather like his England counterpart Gareth Southgate, Lopetegui was not exactly the people’s choice to take over, nor does he ooze charisma, but his work with the nation’s youth teams means he has a vast knowledge of so many of the players’ capabilities.

He has also been unafraid to drop big names and give a chance to deserving players from unglamorous clubs, such as Real Sociedad right back Alvaro Odriozola or Celta Vigo striker Iago Aspas. Lopetegui’s results have been exceptional: Spain have won 13 of 19 games since and lost none.

They ripped their way through World Cup qualifying, scoring 36 goals while winning nine out of 10 games. They outclassed closest rivals Italy 3-0, producing their strongest display since they thrashed the Italians 4-0 in the Euro 2012 final. Spain have also been outstanding in friendlies, beating Belgium, France, drawing with world champions Germany and laying waste to Argentina 6-1.

Above all, the coach has restored the excitement and joy which characterised the teams that won the nation’s first World Cup in 2010 and reigned supreme at Euro 2008 and Euro 2012.

This can be seen on the pitch in the speed at which they recover the ball and their desire to keep searching for goals even when games have already been won.

The main theme in any conversation with Lopetegui usually centres on the boyish enthusiasm of his players, that commitment that had been missing before. “Most of all I’ve been impressed by the passion of the players to be a team, their desire to use their individual qualities for the collective good,” he said.

The players also speak highly of the coach’s personable treatment. Take Isco, who remarkably has never played at a major international tournament despite being one of the country’s most exciting players since he broke through in 2013.

“We have known each other for many years, he was my coach at almost every level in the youth set up,” said the Real Madrid playmaker, who has proved one of Lopetegui’s most influential players, masterminding their win over Italy and scoring a hat-trick in the mauling of Argentina.

“He helped me improve and have confidence when perhaps I didn’t have that much in my club.”

Only 11 players from the squads that flopped at the last World Cup and Euro 2016 have made it into the 23-man group Lopetegui has taken with him, but those that remain are still at the top of their game: David Silva, Sergio Busquets, Sergio Ramos, Jordi Alba and David de Gea have all had exceptional club campaigns.

Puppet master Andres Iniesta is about to play his fourth and final World Cup at 34 before starting a new playing venture in Japan. —