Spain's FIFA World Cup defence begins on Friday against
their final opponents from four years ago, the Netherlands.
Vicente del Bosque's side triumphed in a bruising
encounter aganst the Dutch in Johannesburg to confirm their dominance over the
world game, though both sides are now in starkly different eras.
While just seven of Netherlands' 2010 vintage have
retained their place ahead of their tournament opener at Salvador's Arena Fonte
Nova, many of Spain's top stars have returned for a last tilt at glory.
The likes of Xavi, Iker Casillas and David Villa - so
crucial to their consecutive European Championship wins and World Cup success -
are likely playing in the competition for the final time.
One of the younger talents in the squad, Atletico Madrid
midfielder Koke, will compete in his first international tournament as he looks
to continue his stunning 2014.
After playing a pivotal role in Atleti's midfield as they
secured a first Liga title since 1996, Koke feels privileged to have earned a
place among what he believes is still a formidable winning unit.
"Spain always have a winning mentality," he
told reporters. "We have kept the same philosophy, which is to go out and
play with the same style that has characterised us for so many years - that's
how this group became winners."
Spain's main fitness doubt surrounds Brazil-born striker
Diego Costa, but Koke insists his Atleti colleague is close to being back up to
full-speed after the latter part of his season was plagued by hamstring
problems.
Costa managed to play 73 minutes in Spain's 2-0 friendly
victory over El Salvador last week and Koke is excited to see the 25-year-old
make his impact.
The midfielder added: "Of course he's ready. I think
everyone could see that against El Salvador, he fulfilled everyone's
expectations.
"He was looking sharp, he could sprint, and in
training he has been the same. I think he is 100 per cent fit. If he wasn’t, he
would have told the coach."
Netherlands also hope to have one of Europe's leading
forwards ready to go after Robin van Persie was withdrawn as a precaution
during their 2-0 friendly win over Wales with an apparent groin complaint.
With the exception of the Manchester United star, the
Dutch squad will finish working with Louis van Gaal at the end of the
tournament as the decorated coach leaves his post to embark upon a sizeable
rebuilding job at Old Trafford.
Van Gaal's decision to experiment with a back-three setup
during pre-World Cup friendlies raised eyebrows but Bayern Munich winger Arjen
Robben is confident a remodelled system - starting against one of the most
established styles in modern football - can bear fruit in Brazil.
He told FIFA.com : "We have played three matches
with the new formation and none of our opponents - Ecuador, Wales and Ghana -
created a lot of chances, whereas we did. I'm really confident that this is the
best way for us to play in at the moment."
"I worked with him (Van Gaal) at Bayern Munich
before he took this job, so he has been very important to my career. Along with
(Pep) Guardiola, I can say he is the best coach I ever had."
Culled from Soccerway
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