Madrid (AFP)

Spain coachless coach Robert Moreno tackles his first big challenge on Thursday against Romania in qualifying for Euro-2020 (20:45 / 1845 GMT). With the desire to print his paw on the "Roja", mix of continuity with the Luis Enrique era and innovations.

- The game: no revolution -

After having regent the planet football time of a tripled history Euro-World-Euro between 2008 and 2012, Spain knows since a period of turbulences: it knew five breeders in two years, of which Robert Moreno, which was named in June, replacing Luis Enrique (2018-2019), bereaved by the death of one of his daughters.

But as early as March, Robert Moreno, then deputy of the Asturian, was acting in the face of the difficult family situation of his mentor and friend. Successful: three qualifying matches at the Euro, with so many wins, Malta (2-0), Faroe Islands (4-1) and Sweden (3-0).

Of these three games, the "Roja" remained faithful to the passing game with quick transitions developed by Luis Enrique, who wanted to make the Spanish "sacque sacque" (pass repetition) less predictable.

"Overall, we will try to come up with a game similar to the one we had before: to have the ball intelligently, not just for possession, and to seek the depth when it's needed," Robert said on Tuesday. Moreno (41 years old).

With an emphasis on efficiency, to avoid the sterile game that has often served Spain: "We are going to have the obsession to try to convert each attack into a striking situation," said the Catalan technician.

- The players: no sacred cows -

Unlike some of his predecessors like Vicente del Bosque (2008-2016), too loyal to his grunts, Robert Moreno ensures he wants to put competition in all positions.

His first list, unveiled last Friday, has included some surprises as the novices Unai Nuñez (Athletic Bilbao) and Pablo Sarabia (Paris SG), which the coach expects "a lot": "He can play between the lines, offer assists and in addition he knows how to score. "

And the veterans of yesterday have no guaranteed place, warned Moreno, laudatory but also uncompromising about his captain Sergio Ramos.

"I want him to consider that if he drops down, he will not play," he said. "There has to be competition, when you think you're sure to play, it's relaxing the pressure, I do not want anyone to relieve the pressure."

Similarly, at the goalkeeper position, Robert Moreno promises a rotation between David de Gea, Kepa Arrizabalaga and Pau Lopez. "Competition is a good thing," he says.

- The style: not in the mold -

In a few appearances before the press, Robert Moreno seduced by his outspokenness and his modesty: the media applauded Tuesday when he said he was ready to "step aside to rework" one day as deputy of Luis Enrique, at name of the friendship he has for him.

Prolix in front of the press, the Catalan contrasts sharply with the distant irony of the Asturian. And with his singular career, that of a bank employee passionate about football to the point of becoming a coach, it brings a certain freshness in a highly codified environment.

This specialist in video analysis and new technologies, who participated in the creation of a publisher devoted to sport, also seduced by his very specific tactical knowledge: he is notably the author of a book entitled " My recipe of 4-2-2 ".

The only time he has raised his voice, for now, is about Media Coach, a video analysis software developed by La Liga, which he was denied access to because of the squabble between the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), and the Professional League. He called for better collaboration between the two bodies.

© 2019 AFP