MADRID May 21 (Xinhua) -- Spain coach Julen Lopetegui has picked a mix of young and experience as he looks to lead Spain to World Cup glory.
The former U-21 boss has shown his faith in continuity with a squad that looks well-balanced and which could go close to repeating the heroics of the 2010 side which won the title in South Africa under the guidance of Vicente del Bosque.
Some members of that legendary side are still present with Gerard Pique, Sergio Ramos, Sergio Busquets, David Silva, Pepe Reina and Andres Iniesta in the squad and all of them likely to be in Lopetegui's starting 11.
Meanwhile others such as Jordi Alba, Isco and Koke have a host of international experience, as does David de Gea, who has progressed to become one of the best goalkeepers in the world, while the progress from the U-21's is reflected in young talents such as Marco Asensio, Saul Niguez, Dani Carvajal, Alvaro Odrioloza and Kepa Arrizabalaga.
Others like Nacho Fernandez and Lucas Vazquez have earned their places after excellent seasons with their clubs and to the fact they offer options in defense and attack.
Lopetegui's starting 11 for the World Cup opener against Portugal in Sochi is relatively easy to predict in some areas of the pitch, with De Gea in goal behind a defense made up of Dani Carvajal, Ramos, Pique and Jordi Alba.
In midfield, Busquets and Iniesta are fixtures, while Isco and David Silva also are a good bet to make the starting line-up, before a few doubts arise: will Lopetegui opt to use two strikers or just one?
If he opts to play Diego Costa as a lone front player, the temptation could be to include Koke or Thiago Alcantara in midfield and allow Isco and Silva greater freedom to attack, but with Iago Aspas and Rodrigo enjoying excellent domestic season, a second striker could stretch rival defenders, especially in the case of Aspas, who can play on the right if needed.
The absence of Alvaro Morata has surprised some commentators given that the Chelsea forward has scored 13 goals in 23 games for Spain and was important in the qualifying campaign, but Aspas has been in outstanding form this season, ending as the top-scoring Spaniard with 21 goals in the La Liga, which ended on Sunday.
Lucas Vazquez meanwhile offers the possibility to open up the wings and to cut in from a wide role, as could Asensio, with their understanding with Isco a plus for the Spain coach.
The fact Lopetegui has so many possible variations in midfield and attack merely serves to highlight the depth of talents he has been available up front and in midfield, and that is also reflected in defense where Nacho Fernandez offers to play across the back line, as he has done for Real Madrid all season, while Azpilicueta can also cover on the left, right or play as part of a three-man back line.
The main problem for Lopetegui is that the five Real Madrid players (Ramos, Isco, Carvajal, Vazquez and Nacho) will not join the squad until June 4, just 11 days before their World Cup opener against Portugal and Lopetegui will on Tuesday name seven young players to make up the numbers in training and perhaps to participate in the warm-up games against Switzerland and Tunisia.
Spain were Champions in 2010, but crashed out in the group stage of the 2014 World Cup. Looking at the depth of the squad and recent performances, which saw them thrash Argentina 6-1 and draw away to reigning World Cup holders Germany, the Spanish can be optimistic of going a long way this summer in Russia. Perhaps all the way to Moscow.
