Aragones hints at change of style for Spain

After making the bold decision to leave captain Raul out of his squad, Spain coach Luis Aragones has now hinted at a change in style for their Euro 2008 Group F qualifier against Sweden on Saturday.

"We have to win this game by whatever means. A draw isn't the end but it isn't a good result," Aragones told Spanish state radio yesterday. "It is vital we don't concede a goal and maybe we'll play a little more on the counter."

During the World Cup and for the start of the Euro 2008 qualifiers Spain played an attacking game, looking to dominate possession and pressure their opponents high up the pitch.

But after the setbacks of an early exit in Germany and last month's surprise 3-2 away defeat to Northern Ireland, Aragones has been working on a new way forward for the side.

In training his adventurous 4-3-3 formation looks set to revert to a 4-4-2, with a number of new faces making their way into the side.

The midfield is likely to see the biggest changes with Valencia's Miguel Angel Angulo coming in on the right and Barcelona's Andres Iniesta on the left, with David Albelda and Cesc Fabregas in the centre.

In the absence of Raul, David Villa and Fernando Torres are the only pure strikers included in the squad.

This week, Torres told his team-mates to forget about captain Raul's omission, the first time the Real Madrid forward had been dropped in 10 years for reasons other than injury.

"It was the coach's decision not to bring Raul," Torres said. "We were surprised but those that are here must get on with the job in hand.

"After the game we will know if we have missed him. We know he's been a fixture for many years but the coach has made his decision and there is no point us worrying about it."

Spain are joint second in Group F with three points from two games, three behind the leaders Sweden.

They have never beaten the Scandinavians in their own country, drawing all three encounters.