‘Players win games, not systems’

Julen Lopetegui insists “games are won by players for what they do on the pitch, not systems” ahead of Spain-Macedonia on Saturday.

A significant victory over Macedonia would keep Spain top of their 2018 World Cup qualifying group, but Lopetegui is nonetheless expecting a “typically-tough encounter” when they host the Balkans in Granada.

“We expect a tough encounter, a typical World Cup qualifier, but we hope to have a good game,” the Coach said at a Press conference.

“They play with a five-man defence, with three pure midfielders and two strikers, so we must be focused.

“There are variables, but games are won by players for what they do on the pitch, not systems.

“Tactics are extremely mythologised, but everything is on the players. Our intention is always the same.

“I won’t give out the line-up the day before. I want the players to know it first.

“We’ve had various casualties in the squad, but we have players for whom it’s a great opportunity to be here.

“In our line of sight, there’s only Macedonia. The World Cup is far away and we’re fighting to be in it.

“We’ll try to finish first in the group. That’s our desire, although we know it won’t be easy.

“Diego Costa? He’s a casualty we didn’t expect, but he hasn’t recovered in time and we’re thinking about other players.

“I insist that whoever replaces him is going to do very well, above all for the team.”

Tags 2018 World Cup FYROM Julen Lopetegui Macedonia Spain
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