Spain’s 6-1 win over Argentina in the last international break before the World Cup remembered people of how strong they could be. After a miserable campaign in Brazil last time out and a round of 16 elimination in the UEFA Euro in 2016, Julen Lopetegui’s mission was to rebuild and keep the national team progressing.
Having worked with the U19, U20 and U21’s of the Spanish national team, Lopetegui already had in mind what was expected from him and the whole philosophy that he should apply into his side. During his time as the youth level’s manager, Lopetegui won the U19 and U20 Euros in 2012 and 2013 respectively.
After eight years with Vicente Del Bosque, the man responsible for taking Spain back to highest level, what they needed was a young manager with fresh ideas. Lopetegui seems the perfect fit, as he already have experience in the national side, interesting coaching methods and mostly important, an eye on the future.
Why an eye on the future is so important? Spain’s generation that won three major titles in four years is already coming to an end. Xabi Alonso has retired, Iker Casillas is on his way too and Andres Iniesta is not the same. Replacing a generation of so many talented players, in what was one of the best national teams ever, is not an easy job. Lopetegui’s mission with Spain is by far more than just winning games. He needs to replace players that were so important and whose legacies are big.
The current generation of young Spanish players is promissing, but not so much comparing to the one they are replacing. Marco Asensio is showing potential to be one of the best midfielders in the world, Saul Niguez is another one on his way to become special and Suso is finally turning into the player we expected him to be. Thiago Alcantara is one of the Spanish players entering into his prime, something could really take benefit of. Isco, Dani Carvajal and Rodrigo are other examples too.
Lopetegui is an already experienced manager in dealing with young players. His time with the youth teams was extremely successful and his time at Porto was also known for that. During his time at the Estádio do Dragão he gave debuts Rúben Neves, a player that has also become the youngest captain in Champions League history, and helped devoleping André Silva and Oliver Torres.
It wouldn’t be surprising if we see Lopetegui doing something similar from what Gareth Southgate has been trying with England. During his tenure, Southgate has given debuts to Joe Gomez, Jordan Pickford, Tammy Abraham, Dominic Solanke, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Lewis Cook, players that were familiar faces in England’s youth teams. With promising players in Spain’s U21 such as Dani Ceballos and Carlos Soler playing constantly, we should see some young and fresh faces in Spain’s team soon.
Mixing experienced faces that have been playing with the national team for years, together with young players that are on the transition from the youth teams, may be Lopetegui biggest challenge while managing Spain.
What should we expect from Spain in the World Cup?
An identity is a big part of any football team. In international level, we don’t see this very often, with the biggest reason being the lack of a consistent run of games. It takes time to build an identity with a national team. Germany started their process years ago and it brought them results, England are trying to do the same, but Spain already have an established identity for years.
With the Tiki-Taka really popular in Spain thanks to Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona back in the day, the core of players of Spain’s national team was made from Barcelona players. It made sense to play in a similar way and it worked effectively, with Spain winning two Euros and a World Cup in a space of four years.
However, any style of play needs to change and improve. As I said many times in this blog, the philosophy can remain the same but that are a few things in football that need constant change and modernisation.
While watching Spain’s win over Argentina, it became clear that Julen Lopetegui’s side has been trying to modernize. The quick passing works effectively and the high line makes the pitch smaller for the opposition, making the team’s chances of creating a scoring opportunity much easier. There were moments that Spain pressed really high and intensively.
If you have a chance, just take a look at the build-up for Isco’s second goal. Spain got the ball back after pressing Argentina really high and exchanging quick passes shortly after. It was a perfect team goal and just highlights how Lopetegui is improving Spain’s style of play with modern football while keeping the same philosophy of moving the ball and keeping possession.
Refreshing a style of play that has been in use for so many years is a risky move, especially considering that international football doesn’t come very often. However, Lopetegui is doing it incredibly well and it’s paying off. We should see a renovated Spain come the World Cup and a brand of football that will be extremely entertaining.
A mix of experience and youth will be valuable if Lopetegui’s side wants to be successful. With the likes of Sérgio Ramos and Sergio Busquets, who were in South Africa in 2010, Spain have quality, experience and talent all mixed together.
There is still doubt if they will be able to perform at the big stage again, especially after miserable performances in the last World Cup and in the Euros in 2016. However, the signs they’ve shown through Lopetegui’s reign so far are encouraging and something to build on for the future years.
When thinking about the big favourites to win in the summer, Spain is a national team that is often forgotten. However, the talent and pedigree available to them, together with a manager that has done really well so far and a style of play that has been working effectively, make Spain a strong contender for the World Cup.
By: Gabriel Coelho
The Final Whistle 