Julen Lopetegui "delighted" with Spain squad

New Spain boss Julen Lopetegui has lavished praise on his players for showing the right "attitude" in the build-up to Monday night's 2018 World Cup qualifier at home to Liechtenstein.

La Roja are the overwhelming favourites to start their Group G campaign with three points in what will be Lopetegui's first competitive game in charge of the former world champions.

Lopetegui, who replaced Vicente del Bosque after Euro 2016, has said that his team "must make a good start to the qualifying phase" ahead of tough matches against Italy and Albania next month.

"The big day comes [on Monday], which is our first day of competing. I'm delighted with the attitude of the lads and their commitment. We'll focus on the game and we must make a good start to the qualifying phase. [Our style will be] the usual one, trying to get the best out of our players," Lopetegui told reporters.

Spain, who will enter the match off the back of a 2-0 win over Belgium on Thursday night, were eliminated by Italy in the round of 16 at the European Championships in June.