FILE PHOTO - Soccer Football - Spain Training - Wanda Metropolitano, Madrid, Spain - March 26, 2018 Spain coach Julen Lopetegui speaks to the players during training REUTERS/Juan Medina
MADRID (Reuters) - When Spain trudged off the pitch after losing 2-0 to Italy in the last 16 at the European Championship two years ago there was a pressing need to refresh the squad for a new start.
For too long coach Vicente del Bosque had kept faith with the players he steered to glory at the 2010 World Cup and Euro 2012. There was a sense that he was picking the team based on reputation and loyalty, rather than fitness and form.
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