MADRID (AP) - 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 before the World Cup:
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ATTACK
Lopetegui has called up more than 10 strikers since his arrival, with the most-recent 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.
“Strikers are always under pressure,” Costa said Wednesday. “We need to score goals, otherwise there will be pressure.”
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MORE ATTACK
Among the other forwards tested by Lopetegui are Manuel “Nolito” Agudo, Paco Alcacer, Pedro Rodriguez, Aritz Aduriz, Gerard Deulofeu and even 36-year-old 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.”
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MIDFIELD
A few attacking midfielders seem to have their spots secured after several call-ups 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.
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DEFENSIVE MIDFIELDERS
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.
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DEFENSE
It will also probably be the last World Cup for Gerard Pique, who has said he plans to retire from the national team after playing in Russia.
Sergio Ramos will most likely be his teammate in central defense at the World Cup, with Jordi Alba and Dani Carvajal playing alongside them on the flanks.
Left back Marcos Alonso got his first call-up for the upcoming friendlies and will be fighting to be in Lopetegui’s final list.
“I’m getting a chance to show my worth,” the Chelsea player said.
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GOALKEEPERS
Calls for the return of Iker Casillas are long gone as De Gea continues to play in top form and is more than secured as the team’s starter in Russia.
Kepa Arrizabalaga and Pepe Reina have been included in Lopetegui’s most-recent lists and are expected to be the reserve goalkeepers.
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More AP World Cup coverage: www.apnews.com/tag/WorldCup
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