Fluid and free-scoring – A closer look at Luis Enrique’s Spain
England are next up for Spain in Monday night’s Nations League clash.
England face Spain on Monday night hoping to exact revenge on the hosts for the Nations League defeat in September.
Gareth Southgate’s side went down 2-1 at Wembley but have since recovered with a point in Croatia to get their campaign up and running.
Here, Press Association Sport examines their next opponents ahead of the tie in Seville.
Manager
Spain sacked Julen Lopetegui on the eve of the World Cup in Russia after it was announced that he would be taking over at Real Madrid at the conclusion of the tournament.
Fernando Hierro took interim charge, but Spain crashed out at the last-16 stage.
Former Barcelona boss Enrique won two LaLiga titles, three Copa del Reys and a Champions League at the Nou Camp between 2014 and 2017 and has made an encouraging start in his first international job.
Style
But Spain have been more direct and aggressive under Enrique, with the emphasis on creativity rather than simply possession for possession’s sake.
Enrique wants players to be fluid, to move the ball quickly and free runners into space.
Form
Enrique’s two competitive games in charge have seen Spain set the new Nations League alight.
Spain beat England 2-1 at Wembley with Saul Niguez and Rodrigo turning around an early deficit, while World Cup finalists Croatia were hammered 6-0 in Elche, before easily disposing of Wales 4-1 in a friendly on Thursday.
Players to watch
There has been something of a changing of the Spanish guard in recent times, with Iniesta and David Silva having stepped away from international football.
Isco, Dani Carvajal, Sergi Roberto, Diego Costa and Jordi Alba will all be missing for one reason or another, but that has allowed players such as Paco Alcacer and Rodrigo to stake their claim for a regular place.
But quality exists right through the squad – from goalkeeper David de Gea, to skipper Sergio Ramos at the back, Sergio Busquets and Thiago Alcantara in midfield and Chelsea’s Alvaro Morata up front.