Julen Lopetegui’s sacking on the eve of the tournament has created a big question mark over one of the favourites to win the World Cup in Russia

This article is part of the Guardian’s 2018 World Cup Experts’ Network, a cooperation between some of the best media organisations from the 32 countries who have qualified for Russia. theguardian.com is running previews from two countries each day in the run-up to the tournament kicking off on 14 June.

Spain’s preparations for the World Cup were thrown into disarray on the eve of the tournament after Julen Lopetegui was sacked as manager and replaced by sporting director Fernando Hierro. After going out in the group stage at the 2014 World Cup and the defeats at Euro 2016, La Roja have bounced back in the past year and had headed to Russia looking a little more like the side who won three successive major tournaments between 2008 and 2012 until Lopetegui’s appointment by Real Madrid was made public.

The former Under-21 manager, who took over from Vicente del Bosque after Euro 2016, will succeed Zinedine Zidane at the Santiago Bernabéu but has been denied the opportunity to lead his country to the World Cup after what the Spanish FA described as its “obligation” to sack him.

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Hierro has been tasked with picking up the pieces but despite a lack of managerial experience, he will still take charge of one of the most talented squads in Russia. Eight of the players who were in the side knocked out by Italy at the European Championship played a key role in the qualification stage for Russia (David de Gea, Sergio Ramos, Gerard Piqué, Jordi Alba, Sergio Busquets, Andrés Iniesta, David Silva and Álvaro Morata).

It is most likely that seven of those would be in his preferred starting XI, with only Morata missing out. The remaining positions would probably be taken by Koke and Thiago Alcântara (both in the squad in 2016), Dani Carvajal (who was injured), Isco and Diego Costa. In other words, the thread through the past decade remains intact in the shape of Ramos, Iniesta and Silva. That trio have been on board since winning Euro 2008 in Vienna.

Over the last year Spain have been rejuvenated while keeping the same playing style. The team continue to cherish one thing above all else: the ball. It’s all about the ball. Their passing style remains in place thanks to an enlightened group of midfielders: Busquets, Thiago, Iniesta, Isco and Silva.

The only point of departure is up front. David Villa and to a lesser extent Fernando Torres have been the only forwards who have settled well with the tiki-taka style. Spain have played at their best using a false forward concealed among the midfielders, whether that was Cesc Fàbregas in the past or Marco Asensio now.

Since Costa was unable to play for Atlético Madrid until January, Morata spearheaded the attack after his explosive start to the club season. But the Chelsea player seemed to lose form more or less at the time when Costa was able to reappear. Costa, however, has not managed to fit in. He has difficulty getting involved in a game that flows pass after pass. Iago Aspas and Rodrigo are better suited.

Attack is where Hierro still needs to fit in the final pieces of the jigsaw. The rest of the squad is as easy to recognise as those of 2008, 2010 and 2012. No revolution is required, La Roja are Spain once again, but they’ll need to prove this on the grandest stage.

Probable starting XI

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Which player is going to surprise everyone at the World Cup?



Isco, who was key in Spain’s qualifiers, will play in his first international tournament at a great time for his development. He has matured immeasurably and is a great fit for this side’s mentality with his astute decision-making. He is a top-class dribbler and very good with his final pass. On top of that hehas very good movement in the area between the midfielders and the strikers.

Which player is likely to disappoint?

With David Villa in the United States, Spain have played well without an orthodox striker. Diego Costa hasn’t quite settled and that is why he may struggle in Russia. He has found it difficult to connect with the midfielders – it seems as if Costa likes heavy metal when his team-mates prefers classical music.

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What is the realistic aim for Spain at the World Cup 2018 and why?

La Roja has a squad to reach the final stages of the tournament. After the disappointments in Brazil (2014) and France (2016), the team have become competitive again. Lopetegui has kept the spine of the team and added, with great care, players such as Isco, Asensio, Lucas, Saúl, Aspas and Rodrigo. Spain can hope for the best again.

José Sámano writes for El Pais.

Click here for a profile of Spain’s David Silva.