Friday 27 March 2015 08:33, UK
Alvaro Morata is confident the latest crop of Spanish footballing talent can replicate the success which saw them win two European Championships and a World Cup between 2008 and 2012.
Spain’s continental and global supremacy came to an end last summer when they relinquished their World Cup crown after a humiliating group-stage exit in Brazil.
The error-ridden campaign, which started with a 5-1 defeat to the Netherlands, sparked a mass changing of the guard in Vicente Del Bosque’s squad, with Xavi, David Villa and Xabi Alonso the notable players to call time on their illustrious international careers.
The departures paved the way for the Juventus striker to lead an influx of talent to make the step-up from under-21 level into Del Bosque’s squad. Morata, along with several squad members, were involved as Spain won UEFA European U21 and U19 titles with in 2011 and 2013 respectively.
And the 22-year-old has pointed to this mass-progression of players through their successful national youth set-up as evidence Spain is capable of rekindling their dominant side of the past.
“It’s important when building a new squad that you have that foundation from years before,” he told Sky Sports. “There are lots of players here now who were involved in the European Championship in Israel or when we won the U19s.
“There are lots of players who have been playing in the junior categories for years now. There are others who haven’t but the majority of us were regulars in the junior categories and that’s important because it prepares you the elite level.
“Germany based their team around the one which won the U21 tournament with a lot of young players. It was a long process. They got to a couple of finals and were unlucky but eventually it paid off and they won the World Cup and hopefully we’ll be able to do the same one day.
"There are lots of players who have been playing in the junior categories for years now… that’s important because it prepares you the elite level. Spain has a great future. We have all the excitement and desire in the world [so] we have good reason to be optimistic."
“Spain was a group which had been together for a long time, but nothing lasts forever. Things come to an end. There are times when you have to turn the page but you have to be united. You have to trust the players who are there and those of us who are coming through.
“We have all the excitement and desire in the world. With that desire, coupled to all the experience of the veterans who have won everything before, Spain has good reason to be optimistic, not just because of the players who are here but for the ones who are unavailable because of injury. Spain has a great future.”
Morata has blossomed since leaving Madrid for Turin last summer. His 11 goals in all competitions, coupled with his development alongside Carlos Tevez, has seen the Bianconeri race away at the top of Serie A and book their place in the quarter finals of the Champions League.
Morata is aiming to combine his impressive club form with an innate understanding developed with his Spanish team-mates throughout their title-winning campaigns.
“With the many years we’ve been playing together, sometimes a look is enough,” he added.
“I lift my head and see my team mate is going to play the ball in front, or when they play a pass I know that they are looking for a one-two.
“It’s great to play with players you know that well and it makes everything much easier.”
Morata also embraced the responsibility attached with wearing the Spanish shirt, and insisted the burden of those legendary figures who had gone before wouldn’t hamper La Roja’s chances of international silverware.
“When you put on the Spain shirt you know there is history there,” he said.
“In the last few years it has been worn by the best in the world.
“It’s a heavy responsibility. You can’t exceed what they achieved but perhaps you can match it.”
Watch Spain's European Qualifier against Ukraine this Friday. Coverage starts at 7pm, Sky Sports 5 HD.
