La Furia Roja will hope to begin their FIFA World Cup Qualifying campaign in Group G against minnows Liechtenstein on the right note at Estadio Reino de León on Monday.
Julen Lopetegui’s men began things on a positive note after they made short work of Roberto Martinez’s Belgium side, beating them 2 goals to nothing. Diego Costa and David Silva were arguably the outstanding performers in a very positive display against the Belgians.
Spain will want to carry this form over to their world cup qualifying match as they look to get all three points in Lopetegui’s first ever competitive match in charge of the Spanish team. Needless to say, the former Real Madrid Castilla coach will have his work cut out for him as the group also contains Italy, Albania, Israel, and Macedonia. Only the group winners will qualify directly to the world cup while the runners up will have to play a knockout round before they can enter the tournament.
Team News & Tactics
Spain
A change in regime was probably what the Spanish team was missing after they had a very dismal outing in international competitions in the last 3 years. Lopetegui, however, is nowhere as illustrious as his predecessor as he does not have a lot of experience with senior sides. He has formerly coached the U-19 and the U-21 teams of Spain with an impressive degree of success as he managed to win European Championships on both those levels before moving to the other side of the Iberian peninsula to coach Porto.
Although once upon a time Spain lacked in prolific number 9s, Lopetegui will be spoilt for choice as he will have Paco Alcacer, Diego Costa, Alvaro Morata and Nolito at his disposal. Moreover, his Spanish side seemed invigorated and reborn against Belgium. David Silva, who has often been underrated because of the presence of the likes of Iniesta and Xavi in the past, looks set to be the protagonist of the current Spanish side in the months ahead. The coach is not reluctant to draw heavily on Spain’s strength – that of the dynamism in midfield offered by the likes of Sergio Busquets and Koke.
Probable Formation and Starting Lineup (4-3-3): De Gea; Martinez, Pique, Ramos, Alba; Mata, Busquets, Koke; Silva, Morata, Nolito
Liechtenstein
Ranked 182 in FIFA rankings, the Red and Blues have very little hope of securing qualification with the likes of Italy, Spain and Albania dominating the group. Rene Pauritsch’s men were thrashed 5-0 by Denmark on Thursday. They are also without a win in their last 21 games, a staggering statistic if you are a European team with even a modicum of hope of securing qualification in the World Cup.
Probable Formation and Starting Lineup (4-1-4-1): Jehle; Rechsteiner, Polverino, Kaufmann, Burgmeier; Wieser; Hasler, Christen, Martin Buchel, Salanovic; Marcel Buchel
Key Stats
- Spain have scored an astonishing 23 times against Liechtenstein.
- Spain have scored at least 2 goals in each of their previous meetings.
- The Spanish defense has a 100 percent record against Liechtenstein, meaning they have never conceded a goal.
- They have also won all six of their previous fixtures against Liechtenstein
Player to Watch Out for
Alvaro Morata (Spain)
Having made the career switch from Juventus back to Real Madrid, the Spaniard is enjoying regular football under coach Zinedine Zidane who has shown a tremendous faith in the youngster. With Nolito and David Silva completing the attacking trident Morata looks set to drive the Spanish team forward, at least for the next decade. He has also enjoyed a successful spell under head coach Lopetegui at the U-21 level, winning the European Championship during his time.
Marcel Buchel (Liechtenstein)
Another Juventus product, Marcel Buchel is enjoying his football in Italy playing for Empoli on loan from Juventus. He is yet to become a regular starter at Empoli ahead of Pucciaralli and Maccarone but it will not be very difficult for the youngster to push these veterans out for a place in the starting lineup.
Prediction
Spain 4-0 Liechtenstein
Liechtenstein neither have the quality nor the experience in their squad to survive a Spanish onslaught. It would surprise a lot of people if they are able to contain a free scoring Spain side with their unorthodox 4-1-4-1 formation.
