MADRID, March 22 (Xinhua) -- The Spanish national team take on Germany on Friday in a friendly game to help prepare for this summer's World Cup finals, but the fact is that injury permitting Spain coach Julen Lopetegui probably has the majority of the names in his 23-man squad for Russia written down in his mind with just a few places up for grabs, while his first choice starting 11 virtually picks itself.
There is no doubt that David de Gea is first choice in goal, while across the back, it would need a miracle to separate a back four of Dani Carvajal, Sergio Ramos, Gerard Pique and Jordi Alba.
Likewise Sergio Busquets, David Silva, Isco and Andres Iniesta are likely to be fixtures in midfield and in linking midfield to attack, although Real Madrid's Marco Asensio could also have a chance of starting.
A fit Diego Costa has to lead the Spain, which means there is theoretically just one starting place up for grabs, with midfielder, such as Thiago Alcantara, Koke or Saul Niguez the ideal profile for Lopetegui to partner Busquets and provide some balance in a side that loves to keep possession.
If those 14 players all travel to Russia, that leaves nine places for Lopetegui to fill on the plane, with two of those for substitute goalkeepers Pepe Reina and Kepa Arizabalaga, both of whom are squad regulars when fit.
Alvaro Odriazola has made the last few squads and looks a good bet to provide cover for Carvajal at right back, while Cesar Azpilicueta and Nacho Fernandez provide adaptability from the bench and Marcos Alonso looks to be number one in the pecking order to provide cover on the left.
Alonso needs to take his chance now, however, because Lopetegui could decide that with Nacho and Azpilicueta in his squad, he doesn't need to take another specialist left back, opening the door for an extra midfielder or striker.
Lucas Vazquez has been in fine form for Real Madrid and should be on the plane, while Iago Aspas is the top scoring Spaniard and also looks likely to go to Russia. That leaves Lopetegui to decide whether to take in form Valencia forward, Rodrigo Moreno or Alvaro Morata, who was a fixture during the qualifying campaign, scoring five goals in five games in 2017, but who is out of the current squad after injury and a loss of form.
Not taking a second left back would allow Lopetegui to take both Rodrigo and Morata and that must be tempting, especially if Morata can re-discover his form at Chelsea between now and the end of the season.
Other Chelsea players, Pedro Rodriguez and Cesc Fabrigas have plenty of big game experience and could still push their way into this summer's squad as could Bayern Munich's Javi Martinez, but it will be interesting to see how squad debutants Dani Parejo and Rodrigo Hernandez perform over the coming days.
Everything points to Lopetegui producing few surprises when he names his final squad for the World Cup finals, but a lot can happen between March and June and although Lopetegui probably has 20 names in mind, it is the remaining three which will give him the sleepless nights.
