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Spain look to continue with generational change in Holland friendly

Xinhua, March 30, 2015 Adjust font size:

Spain coach Vicente Del Bosque will hand his fringe players the chance to show what they do when the Spanish face Holland in a friendly, which has become more than just a friendly on Tuesday night.

World Cup history has seen the Spanish and Dutch thrown together in the last two World Cups with an Andres Iniesta goal giving the Spanish victory and their first ever world title at the expense of the Dutch in the 2010 World Cup final.

However, the Dutch got their revenge last summer in Brazil as they hammered Spain 5-1 to signal the beginning of the end of the Spanish reign in World and European football.

It has been a slightly depressing run for the Spanish since then as Del Bosque has tried to oversee a generational change in his squad, while at the same time ensuring his side do not miss out on the Euro 2016 finals next summer.

So far that policy has worked with varying degrees of success, as witnessed by Spain's labored 1-0 win over Ukraine on Friday night.

The result was what the Spanish needed, although they would have been happier with a wider margin of victory, but some of the football on offer was labored and Del Bosque himself admitted his players are not at their best when they have to chase possession.

Del Bosque will continue with his rejuvenation of the side in Holland and David De Gea is likely to play in goal as he continues to play international minutes and line himself up as the successor to Iker Casillas.

Juan Bernat will probably get his chance at left back, while Mikel San Jose could replace Sergio Busquets in midfield.

Meanwhile the game will also serve to see Malaga striker Juanmi and Sevilla's attacking left sided midfielder Vitolo make their international debuts after being unused subs on Friday night.

Del Bosque has at times been accused of being a conservative coach, but the fact they will need 13th and 14th players to make their debut following last summer's World Cup point to the fact he is working hard on the overhaul ahead of next summer. Endi