Sep 1, 2016 at 7.45pm UK
Belgium
0-2
Spain
FT(HT: 0-1)
Silva (34', 62')

Spain boss Julen Lopetegui hints at fresh ideas

Porto's Spanish coach Julen Lopetegui gestures from the touchline during the UEFA Champions League Group G football match between Chelsea and Porto at Stamford Bridge in London on December 9, 2015.
© Getty Images
New Spain boss Julen Lopetegui hints that he will attempt to make La Roja more compact and difficult to beat ahead of Thursday's friendly with Belgium.

Spain boss Julen Lopetegui has hinted that he has brought a new playing style to the La Roja national team.

Lopetegui replaced Vicente del Bosque as head coach of Spain after Euro 2016 and his first match in charge will be an international friendly against Roberto Martinez's Belgium team on Thursday night.

The 50-year-old has insisted that Spain will not abandon their values of ball possession, but has also claimed that his team will concentrate on being organised and difficult to break down.

"It is about believing in what this group has to offer and organising ourselves to do it. We have a clear idea around which to build. We are comfortable with the ball, but that doesn't mean we won't press, we're not organised and we don't challenge for the second ball," Lopetegui told reporters.

"It is a precious match in a great setting. They are a team of a very high level. That makes us more excited. They have a lot of good players, but so do we."

Lopetegui's competitive debut as Spain boss will come in their 2018 World Cup qualifier against Liechtenstein on Monday night.

Dani Carvajal for Real Madrid on August 19, 2014
Read Next:
Dani Carvajal: 'Spain can return to top'
>

Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Manchester CityMan City33009369
2Chelsea33007259
3Manchester UnitedMan Utd33006159
4Everton32104227
5Hull City32014226
6Middlesbrough31203215
7Tottenham HotspurSpurs31203215
8Arsenal31116514
9Leicester CityLeicester31113304
10West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom31112204
11Liverpool311156-14
12West Ham UnitedWest Ham310235-23
13Burnley310224-23
14Swansea CitySwansea310224-23
15Southampton302124-22
16Sunderland301235-21
17Crystal Palace301213-21
18Watford301236-31
19Bournemouth301225-31
20Stoke CityStoke301226-41