MX23RW : Wednesday, November 20 07:29:46| >> :120:29256:29256:

Julen Lopetegui relishing Costa Rica, Russia tests

Lopetegui relishing next two friendlies
© SilverHub
Spain boss Julen Lopetegui says that his team's next two friendlies against Costa Rica and Russia will stand them in good stead for the 2018 World Cup.

Spain boss Julen Lopetegui has said that his team's next two friendlies against Costa Rica and Russia will stand them in good stead for the 2018 World Cup.

La Roja will host Costa Rica on Saturday night, before taking on World Cup hosts Russia next week.

Lopetegui has claimed that Costa Rica "are one of the better sides in world football", while the head coach is also looking forward to taking on Russia as the 2010 world champions build towards next summer's tournament.

"Our focus is on the only thing that interests us, the World Cup," Lopetegui told reporters. "We have only two international breaks to fine-tune things for Russia, and we'll be facing two teams that will demand a lot from us.

"They'll force us to have two great performances. We'd like to have more breaks, but it is what it is. Costa Rica? They're a very good team and are one of the better sides in world football.

"They came a penalty shootout away from the semi-finals in Brazil after they won a group that contained England, Italy and Uruguay. They've kept that unit and style of play, and Russia play in a similar way, so these games can come in handy."

Spain played out a 2-2 draw with Colombia in their last international friendly back in June.

ID:311644: cacheID:311644:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:2120:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Alberto Moreno in action during the Premier League game between Liverpool and Arsenal on August 27, 2017
Read Next:
Lopetegui: 'I want to see Moreno up close'
>
Read more about Julen Lopetegui Football
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool119112161528
2Manchester CityMan City117222213923
3Chelsea115422113819
4Arsenal115421812619
5Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest115421510519
6Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton115421915419
7Fulham115331613318
8Newcastle UnitedNewcastle115331311218
9Aston Villa115331717018
10Tottenham HotspurSpurs1151523131016
11Brentford115152222016
12Bournemouth114341515015
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd114341212015
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham113351319-612
15Leicester CityLeicester112451421-710
16Everton112451017-710
17Ipswich TownIpswich111551222-108
18Crystal Palace11146815-77
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves111371627-116
20Southampton11119721-144


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!