Spain's Lopetegui aims to get best out of talent pool

The two countries were supposed to meet in a friendly last November in the same city but it was cancelled due to security concerns following the terrorist attacks in Paris.

(Reuters)

"We have to focus on things that we can control, what happens on the pitch," Lopetegui said in a news conference on Wednesday.

The first squad of Vicente del Bosque's successor includes a number of players who dominated international football between 2008 and 2012, yet failed to make an impact at the 2014 World Cup and at Euro 2016.

"It's not a case of changing something specific but rather putting order in the great potential this team has," the 50-year-old said. "We have great players and we need to be able to manage games how we want.

"This national team has achieved historic feats. I will try to give it what I think it needs and nothing more."

Spain are using the friendly against Belgium as preparation for their 2018 World Cup qualifying campaign, which kicks off in Leon against Lichtenstein on Sept. 5.

Lopetegui will pit his wits against a familiar face on Thursday because in the Belgium dugout will be Roberto Martinez, a Spaniard who has built a solid reputation at the helm of Everton, Wigan Athletic and Swansea City in the English Premier League.

"Roberto Martinez is a good friend and has done important things in England," Lopetegui said. "I wish him the best of luck in his new chapter.

"We are two great teams and I hope that the game is to the level that is expected. Belgium is a strong side."

With Spain's most capped player and long-time captain Iker Casillas not selected as one of Lopetegui's goalkeepers, one of his former Real Madrid team mates, Sergio Ramos, will lead the team.

Manchester United's David de Gea, who started in all of Spain's Euro 2016 games, will play in goal.

"This game was called off in November," Ramos said. "Tomorrow will be a good game."

(Reporting by Adriana Garcia,; Editing by Neville Dalton)