The Oneida Daily Dispatch (Oneida, NY)
Spain experimenting with its forwards
MADRID » Spain enters the final stage of its World Cup preparations with coach Julen Lopetegui experimenting up front.
Lopetegui has called up several different forwards since taking over the national squad and has plenty of options to choose from before announcing the final list for Russia in a few months.
It won’t be an easy decision because Spain has thrived in attack with a deep stock of strikers. The team has outscored opponents 52-10 in the 16 matches played under Lopetegui.
The coach will get a chance to have a final look at some of his forwards in the high-profile friendlies against Germany on Friday in Dusseldorf and Argentina on Tuesday in Madrid.
Still unbeaten since Lopetegui arrived after the 2016 European Championship, Spain will go to Russia trying to rebound from disappointments in the last two major soccer tournaments — it was eliminated in the group stage of the 2014 World Cup and in the last 16 at Euro 2016.
Here’s a closer look at the key issues three months be- fore the World Cup: ATTACK Lopetegui has called up more than 10 strikers since his arrival, with the mostrecent list including Diego Costa, Iago Aspas, Rodrigo and Lucas Vazquez.
Alvaro Morata, Jose Callejon and Victor “Vitolo” Machin had been regulars in previous lists but were left out of the important pre-World Cup friendlies.
Costa hadn’t been called up in more than nine months because he couldn’t play with Atletico Madrid until the team’s transfer ban from FIFA ended in January, while Vazquez hadn’t made Lopetegui’s list since last year. Aspas has been a regular name in Lopetegui’s teams even though he hasn’t played much as a starter.
Morata was left out of the current list because of physical problems but Lopetegui said the Chelsea player still has a good chance of making it to Russia. MORE ATTACK Among the other forwards tested by Lopetegui are Manuel “Nolito” Agudo, Paco Alcacer, Pedro Rodriguez, Aritz Aduriz, Gerard Deulofeu and even 36-yearold veteran David Villa.
They had few opportunities recently, though, and are considered a longshot to make it to Russia even though Lopetegui said he hasn’t closed the door on anybody.
“Some players were not included in this (last) list but they still remain with their chances intact,” Lopetegui said. “All players still have chances.” MIDFIELD A few attacking midfielders seemto have their spots secured after several callups under Lopetegui, including Isco, Marco Asensio, Saul Niguez and David Silva.
Silva is among the players with the most minutes in Lopetegui’s team, along with Sergio Busquets and goalkeeper David De Gea. Silva also has the most goals scored under Lopetegui with 11, followed by Morata with seven.
DEFENSIVE MID FIELDERS
Busquets, Thiago Alcantara, Jorge “Koke” Resurreccion and Andres Iniesta are practically assured of a spot at the World Cup, which will likely be the last for Iniesta.
The 33-year-old Barcelona player has been struggling with his physical condition in recent months and hasn’t played regularly with the Catalan club.
Busquets will miss the friendlies against Germany and Argentina because of a fractured finger in his foot but is expected to recover in time for the tournament in Russia.