World Cup 2018: Spain Football Squad, Fixtures and Team Guide
Spain’s 2018 World Cup squad is full of superstars. I dare you to underestimate them.
Spain 23-man squad:
Goalkeepers: David de Gea (Manchester United), Pepe Reina (Napoli), Kepa Arrizabalaga (Athletic Bilbao)
Defenders: Dani Carvajal (Real Madrid), Alvaro Odriozola (Real Sociedad), Gerard Pique (Barcelona), Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid), Nacho (Real Madrid), Cesar Azpilicueta (Chelsea), Jordi Alba (Barcelona), Nacho Monreal (Arsenal)
Midfielders: Sergio Busquets (Barcelona), Saul Niguez (Atletico Madrid), Koke (Atletico Madrid), Thiago Alcantara (Barcelona), Andres Iniesta (Barcelona), David Silva (Manchester City)
Forwards: Isco (Real Madrid), Marco Asensio (Real Madrid), Lucas Vazquez (Real Madrid), Iago Aspas (Celta Vigo), Rodrigo (Valencia), Diego Costa (Atletico Madrid)
Spain World Cup 2018 fixtures:
Portugal – Spain (15 June), Sochi
Iran – Spain (20 June), Kazan
Spain – Morocco (25 June), Kaliningrad
Possible starting lineup:
Spain played two friendlies as part of their 2018 World Cup preparation process. Head coach Julen Lopetegui used them to try both tactical solutions. In the first game against Switzerland, he went with the more classic scheme with Diego Costa as the lone striker and a support group of three behind him. In the second match against Tunisia, Lopetegui elected to play without Rodrigo as a false nine, leaving Costa on the bench. Spain scored a single goal in each fixture, which left us with more questions than answers.
In the 6-1 demolition of Argentina back in March, Diego Costa was in the starting lineup and he had a quintet of amazing technicians around him. Real Madrid’s Isco and Asensio provided support from the wings, while three current and former Barcelona players Iniesta, Thiago Alcantara and Busquets patrolled the midfield. It worked to perfection, so it makes me wonder why the manager would want to tweak the formation.
Having said that, I fully anticipate Diego Costa to be in the starting eleven in the first game against Portugal (I bet he and Pepe will leave the pitch with a few bruises). Sergio Busquets, Andres Iniesta and David Silva are near locks in midfield. The question is who joins them. I think that Isco absolutely deserves to be there. He has shown time and time again that Lopetegui can rely on him. Spain have looked like a different team with his movement and creativity. The decision between Koke and Thiago Alcantara as the fifth member of the midfield depends on how offensive Spain’s coach wants to be. If he opts to boost the defense, then Koke is the man for the job. Otherwise, Bayern’s playmaker should get a shot. I’d say that for Game 1, Lopetegui errs on the side of caution, giving Koke the start.
Everything seemed to be set on the defensive side of things. David de Gea on goal, Ramos and Pique as the center back duo, Dani Carvajal and Jordi Alba as the side backs. However, Carvajal’s unfortunate Champions League final injury will likely force him to miss at least the first two encounters, opening the door for Alvaro Odriozola. Real Sociedad’s right back has featured from the first minute in both friendlies, so I’m guessing Lopetegui prefers him to Chelsea’s Cesar Azpilicueta at the position.
There you have it. As long as Barcelona’s and Real Madrid’s players keep their hands off each other, The Red Fury remains one of the four favourites to reach the semi-finals.