Spain coach Del Bosque has first game vs. Denmark

Spain's new coach Vicente Del Bosque seeks to ensure a smooth transition from his predecessor Luis Aragones when the European champions face Denmark on Wednesday in a friendly.

Aragones will be a hard act for Del Bosque to follow after leading Spain to a Euro 2008 triumph for its first major success for 44 years, before taking charge of Fenerbahce nearly seven weeks ago, .

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.