The Spanish national side are undoubtedly the best international side in current world football, following their World Cup win (2010) and two European Championship titles (2008, 2012) making them the sole team to win three international titles consecutively.
With an abundance of success and record-breaking results, no one can deny that the Spanish national team are highly respected and feared both in Spain and abroad.
Playing with the likes of top scorer David Villa, San Iker Casillas, Iniesta, Sergio Ramos and Xavi, there is no question as to why La Roja play the scintillating football that they do.
However, with recent changes to the Spain squad, will we still see the same success? Many of the much loved stalwarts – Torres, Xabi Alonso and Villa to name a few, are no longer present in the current squad.
Various omissions always raise eyebrows when it comes to the selections made by coach Vicente Del Bosque but the fact remains, there are simply too many fantastic Spanish players meaning that they cannot all make the cut. That aside, the new changes will make the Spanish side more exciting and less predictable.
With the 2014 World Cup qualifying done and dusted for Spain, the best national side around appear to be on the road to success with their recent 2-0 victory against Georgia, which saw goals from Manchester City’s Negredo and Chelsea’s Juan Mata, finishing top of their group.
Things are certainly changing for the Spanish side, with young blood coming through – Alberto Moreno made his debut for Spain in the last match as well as Swansea star Michu getting a deserved start for the Spanish first team this last week. Add to this the likes of Diego Costa staking a case for a starting line up (should he chose to represent his adopted nation) and you have a huge amount of new faces.
The face of the Spanish national team is changing. Players such as Juanfran and Isco have broken into the side, and the old guard are fighting to keep their places in the starting eleven.
For the first time in a long time, Del Bosque seems to be selecting players on their form, not their reputation and status in the eyes of the fans.
Although how he could keep justifying starting Casillas who cannot get a league game for Real Madrid when Victor Valdes is flying for Barcelona would have been something to witness indeed.
Quite if a new look La Roja side could emulate the success of its predecessor is debatable – but this is a golden age for Spain, and one that shows no sign of slowing down just quite yet.
Just what will happen this summer in Brazil remains to be seen, but the expectations are as high as ever for Del Bosque and his men. Anything less than the semi finals would be considered a failure – sadly unlike England, who if they were to even reach the quarter finals would probably get a national holiday!
Spain’s dominance could be threated by the mighty Belgium side, who seem to be on the rise with players to rival the likes of Casillas, Iniesta and Villa. Anyone who has been following the Red Devils can attest to that. Add to this the fact that the finals are in Brazil – where European teams traditionally struggle and an intriguing summer is ahead.
Just how far can Spain go? Let us know your thoughts below or tweet us @LaFootyettes.
11 years ago
Spain have now acquired the winning mentality which will serve them well in Brazil. Agreed, Belgium have a really talented group of players but there is no real recent history of success on the big stage…… Spain have a great chance to lift the Cup in Rio…… the other Europeans to challenge ……. the Germans of course.