Preview: Denmark vs. Spain

by FOXSports.com

Updated: August 19, 2008, 6:46 AM EST Comment

The 57-year-old Del Bosque said he will make changes "although probably not substantial ones."

"My footballing principles don't vary much from the previous coach. There are things which have been done well. The less we touch the better and if we can strengthen the potential of the team so much the better," Del Bosque said.

Boasting the strike pair of David Villa and Fernando Torres, goalkeeper Iker Casillas and several talented midfielders, including FC Barcelona midfielder Xavi Hernandez, there seems little cause for Del Bosque to modify the Spanish lineup.

However, the coach called up four uncapped players for Spain's first match since a goal from Torres gave it a 1-0 win over Germany in the final in Vienna on June 29 - Athletic Bilbao defenders Fernando Amorebieta and Andoni Iraola, Sevilla winger Diego Capel and Barcelona's precocious forward Bojan Krkic, who turns 18 later this month.

"Bojan and Capel are two boys from the under-21 team who we now think should be with us in a new process. They bring the quality and new blood which is a necessity for all teams," Del Bosque said.

Del Bosque has dropped three members of the Euro 2008 squad - Liverpool defender Alvaro Arbeloa, Zaragoza striker Sergio Garcia and Sevilla goalkeeper Andres Palop.

Del Bosque, who became one of Real Madrid's most successful coaches ever by leading the powerhouse to two Champions League titles and two Spanish leagues from 1999-2003, has also resisted the temptation to recall Madrid striker Raul Gonzalez.

Spain's all-time top scorer with 44 goals in 102 games, the 31-year-old Raul was dropped nearly two years ago by Aragones, who resisted a fierce media campaign for his recall.

Euro 2008 team members Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas and Valencia defender Carlos Marchena miss Wednesday's game through injury, while the Valencia duo of Villa and David Silva are doubtful.

Denmark will not be hopeful of beating Spain, which is riding on the back of a 22-game unbeaten run.

Spain has won 11 of the teams' 16 previous meetings - including the 5-1 victory in Denmark's first World Cup in 1986 in Mexico - and lost just twice.

Denmark striker Jon Dahl Tomasson is expected to win his 100th cap on Wednesday, while Liverpool defender Daniel Agger is set to make his first international appearance for a year after recovering from a foot injury.

"I have missed the Danish side. It's good to be back in this environment. That injury didn't go by the book and took longer than expected. But now I feel I am up again," Agger said.

Aalborg defender Kasper Bogelund has pulled out, joining absentees Thomas Kahlenberg, Martin Jorgensen and Jesper Gronkjaer.

The friendly will serve to prepare the two teams for upcoming World Cup qualifiers next month. Denmark kicks off its group with visits to Hungary and Portugal, while Spain hosts Bosnia-Herzegovina and Armenia and also has an eye on its appearance in the Confederations Cup in South Africa next June.

Liverpool defender Daniel Agger has returned to the Denmark squad for the Aug. 20 friendly match against European champion Spain after a lengthy foot injury.

Agger's comeback was delayed by a series of setbacks during a frustrating 10-month recovery that required three operations on a metatarsal in his right foot.

Besides Agger, the Danish defense includes Martin Laursen, Per Kroldrup and Lars Jacobsen.

Coach Morten Olsen picked Jon Dahl Tomasson for his 100th game, which will also be the first match for new Spain coach Vicente del Bosque.

In midfield Olsen tapped veteran Christian Poulsen alongside Martin Retov, Leon Andreasen and Daniel Jensen.

The match in Copenhagen will be Spain's first since it defeated Germany 1-0 in the final of the European Championship.

Olsen will pick five or six more players on Friday but several regular players are injured. They include Thomas Kahlenberg, Martin Jorgensen and Jesper Gronkjaer.

Denmark squad:

Goalkeepers: Jesper Christiansen (FC Copenhagen), Stephan Andersen (Brondby), Thomas Sorensen (Stoke)

Defenders: Daniel Agger (Liverpool), Lars Jacobsen (no club), Martin Laursen (Aston Villa), Per Kroldrup (Fiorentina)

Midfielders: Christian Poulsen (Juventus), Daniel Jensen (Werder Bremen), Leon Andreasen (Fulham), Martin Retov (Hansa Rostock), Martin Vingaard (Esbjerg)

Forwards: Dennis Rommedahl (Ajax), Jon Dahl Tomasson (Feyenoord) Nicklas Bendtner (Arsenal)

New Spain coach Vicente del Bosque called up four new players Thursday for the European champion's friendly against Denmark next week - but Real Madrid star Raul Gonzalez was not recalled to the team.

Del Bosque, who replaced Luis Aragones after the championship this summer, named Athletic Bilbao defenders Fernando Amorebieta and Andoni Iraola, Sevilla midfielder Diego Capel and Barcelona forward Bojan Krkic to the 22-player squad.

Euro 2008 team members Carlos Marchena of Valencia and Arsenal's Cesc Fabregas are out with injuries, while backup goalkeeper Andres Palop was dropped because he only resumed training Thursday after injury.

Del Bosque also dropped Zaragoza striker Sergio Garcia and Liverpool defender Alvaro Arbeloa, and said those were the only permanent changes from the Euro 2008 squad.

The friendly against Denmark on Wednesday is Spain's first match since the Euro 2008 final, and serves as a warmup to upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Bosnia-Herzegovina and Armenia in September.

There had been speculation that del Bosque, a former Real Madrid coach, might recall Raul, who was rejected by Aragones for Euro 2008.

Del Bosque said after being named coach that he did not rule out calling up Raul, Spain's all-time top scorer with 44 goals in 102 games.

"At this point in time we didn't think it opportune to bring him," del Bosque said Thursday. "We have to start with the right mentality, but nobody who stands out will have the door shut on them."

Del Bosque said he plans to build on Aragones' success and bring a touch of his own experience to the squad.

"Everyone has their own footballing principles and these I'm sure won't change much from those of my predecessor as coach. But we will contribute some changes, certainly," he said.

Del Bosque is Spain's 50th national coach and has a two-year contract that will see him through to the 2010 World Cup.

He inherits a hugely talented squad, which includes Liverpool striker Fernando Torres, Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas and FC Barcelona midfielder Xavi Hernandez, voted Euro 2008's best player.

Squad:

Goalkeepers: Iker Casillas (Real Madrid), Pepe Reina (Liverpool).

Defenders: Raul Albiol (Valencia), Fernando Amorebieta (Athletic Bilbao), Joan Capdevila (Villarreal), Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid), Juanito Gutierrez (Real Betis), Fernando Navarro (Mallorca), Carles Puyol (FC Barcelona), Andoni Iraola (Athletic Bilbao).

Midfielders: Xavi Hernandez (FC Barcelona), Andres Iniesta (FC Barcelona), Diego Capel (Sevilla), David Silva (Valencia), Xabi Alonso (Liverpool), Ruben De La Red (Getafe), Marcos Senna (Villarreal), Santi Cazorla (Villarreal).

Forwards: Fernando Torres (Liverpool), David Villa (Valencia), Daniel Guiza (Mallorca), Bojan Krkic (FC Barcelona).