- Title: Spain's Lopetegui aims to get best out of talent pool
- Date: 31st August 2016
- Summary: BRUSSELS, BELGIUM (AUGUST 31, 2016) (REUTERS) WIDE OF SPANISH TEAM TRAINING SESSION PLAYERS TRAINING WITH BALL SECURITY OFFICER STANDING NEXT TO PITCH DEFENDER JAVI MARTINEZ TALKING TO PHOTOGRAPHER DEFENDER DANI CARVAJAL JOKING WITH TEAM MATES DURING TRAINING GOALKEEPER PEPE REINA PUTTING HIS GLOVES ON PLAYERS TRAINING WITH BALL MIDFIELDER DAVID SILVA DURING TRAINING PLAYE
- Embargoed: 15th September 2016 21:46
- Keywords: Spain Julen Lopetegui Belgium soccer friendly
- Location: BRUSSELS, BELGIUM
- City: BRUSSELS, BELGIUM
- Country: Belgium
- Topics: Soccer,Sport
- Reuters ID: LVA0014XGHQGV
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Julen Lopetegui intends to do everything he can to capitalise on Spain's rich talent base and bring the good times back, starting with his first game at the helm against Belgium on Thursday (September 1) night in Brussels.
The two countries were supposed to meet in a friendly last November in the same city but it was cancelled due to security concerns following the terrorist attacks in Paris.
The first squad of Vicente del Bosque's successor includes a number of players who dominated international football between 2008 and 2012, yet failed to make an impact at the 2014 World Cup and at Euro 2016.
"We have individuals who know how to handle the ball, but this does not mean that we do not seek to have a more aggressive team that plays in order and in a collective way. This is what will determine how we can improve our game and our collective mindset," Lopetegui said in a news conference on Wednesday (August 31).
Spain are using the friendly against Belgium as preparation for their 2018 World Cup qualifying campaign, which kicks off in Leon against Lichtenstein on Sept. 5.
Lopetegui will pit his wits against a familiar face on Thursday because in the Belgium dugout will be Roberto Martinez, a Spaniard who has built a solid reputation at the helm of Everton, Wigan Athletic and Swansea City in the English Premier League.
With Spain's most capped player and long-time captain Iker Casillas not selected as one of Lopetegui's goalkeepers, one of his former Real Madrid team mates, Sergio Ramos, will lead the team.
"Every time I put on the jersey of the national team I feel proud and motivated because we have little chance to wear it during the season," Ramos told reporters.
"We came here last year but we could not play. Now, it's always nice to play in a stadium with a lot of history. We hope it will be a very high level game given the quality of the two teams so that the spectators can enjoy the game. We're looking forward to give our coach a victory."
Manchester United's David de Gea, who started in all of Spain's Euro 2016 games, will play in goal. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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