MADRID (AP) - After 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 qualify for an 11th straight World Cup.
Here’s a closer look at the Spain team:
COACH
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 lackluster seasons with Porto.
The critics who questioned Lopetegui’s credentials were silenced when the mild-mannered coach took Spain on an 18-game unbeaten run.
GOALKEEPERS
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 is likely be left out of the squad altogether for Russia.
Lopetegui has hinted he will pick Athletic Bilbao’s Kepa Arrizabalaga and Napoli’s Pepe Reina as the reserve goalkeepers.
DEFENDERS
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 defense since the 2010 World Cup, when Ramos still played at right back.
Completing the back line will most certainly be Jordi Alba, Pique’s teammate at Barcelona, on the left and Dani Carvajal, Ramos’ teammate at Madrid, on the right.
MIDFIELDERS
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.
With impeccable passes and smart ball control, Iniesta continues to control the midfield just as he did while winning three major tournaments. Only his physical condition is a concern as age catches up with the player who scored the winning goal in the 2010 World Cup final against the Netherlands.
Sergio Busquets, Thiago Alcantara and Jorge “Koke” Resurreccion seem assured of places in the squad for Russia, and the attacking midfielders are set to include Francisco “Isco” Alarcon, Marco Asensio, Saul Niguez and David Silva.
FORWARDS
Lopetegui has doubts over his strikers, calling up 10 different players in the position in two years.
Atletico Madrid’s Diego Costa, Celta Vigo’s Iago Aspas and Valencia’s Rodrigo should make the 23-man squad.
Madrid’s Lucas Vazquez, Chelsea’s Alvaro Morata, Napoli’s Jose Callejon and Atletico’s Victor “Vitolo” Machin are also in contention. But Morata was left out of Spain’s recent friendlies after struggling in the Premier League.
GROUP GAMES
Spain, which will be based in Krasnodar, opens against European champion Portugal on June 15. The team will then face Iran on June 20 and finish the group stage against Morocco on June 25.
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