Unbeaten so far under Julen Lopetegui, Spain are seemingly adapting well to the newer blood in the squad and playing with more width than before.
La Roja didn’t take any great revenge against Italy last month but instead delivered a composed away performance against a fellow European heavyweight, despite having the better chances.
Aside from Daniele De Rossi’s penalty in Turin, Spain are yet to concede under Lopetegui, with his defence looking compact and organised, if a little untested as yet.
However, for Saturday’s match against Macedonia, Spain will be without three of their first-choice back four through injury as Sergio Ramos, Gerard Pique and Jordi Alba are all absent.
Given his lack of options in defence, Lopetegui could continue with the back three system that he deployed in the 2-0 win at Albania in October, particularly as Spain are expected to dominate possession higher up the pitch.
The most experienced defenders available to Lopetegui are Premier League duo Cesar Azpilicueta and Nacho Monreal. Both are likely to start alongside either Dani Carvajal or Sergi Roberto if the Coach opts for three stoppers.
In midfield, Sergio Busquets, Koke and David Silva have started all three qualifiers and are all likely to be retained, with the latter Silva particularly impressive under Lopetegui so far.
The duo of Thiago Alcantara and Vitolo are expected to start, the pair having played a notable role in their country’s opening qualifiers.
Both players were used sparingly under Vicente del Bosque, but the Bayern Munich midfielder offers added physicality in central areas and the ability to quickly link play between the deeper-lying Busquets and the forward players. The Sevilla star, meanwhile, has been used as a wide attacker, offering a different type of threat to that of Silva, using his pace and crossing ability to pose a threat in behind opposing defences.
Thiago and Vitolo demonstrate’s Lopetegui need for pace and aggression when finding ways to wear down rival rearguards, rather than an overload of possession.
With Diego Costa out injured, Alvaro Morata is most likely to lead the line for Spain, a welcome return for the Real Madrid ma. Given the jury is still out on Costa, he needs to take this chance to re-establish himself.
Morata still appears to be the most naturally-gifted option at centre forward available to Lopetegui, however given the Coach’s preference for a penalty-box presence for his midfielders to feed off, Costa has been the man in favour so far.
Macedonia should pose little threat, having lost all three qualifiers so far, and Spain have a 100 percent win record against them. Nonetheless, they will pose their more-decorated hosts a particular challenge.
Part of the Spain rebuilding process is reinstilling confidence in individuals and in playing style. Teams in the mould of Macedonia will look to frustrate Spain, so the challenge will be to remain tactically structured and find a way past a limited team, a trait that has been so key to the success of La Roja.
England at Wembley on Tuesday will be a different measurement of how far Lopetegui has brought his team, against an England team also looking to rebuild shattered morale.
England have had managerial upheaval and face Scotland on Friday. Interim boss Gareth Southgate could use the game to aid the development of some of his younger players, but there will nonetheless be plenty of experience on display for Spain to mull over.
