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Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos says it's "good for Spanish football" that Barcelona no longer dominate the Spain national team.
For much of Spain's dominant period between 2008 and 2012, the XI was packed with players from the Barca squad, with Ramos one of the relatively few Madrid representatives while the playing style was similar to the possession-based approach of Pep Guardiola.
Vicente Del Bosque fielded seven Barca players at the same time during the final of Euro 2012, as Italy were hammered 4-0.
However, there has been a strong but subtle shift under current coach Julen Lopetegui, and Madrid players outnumber Barca by six to three within the squad for this week's World Cup warm-up friendlies against Germany and Argentina.
Speaking at the prematch news conference ahead of Friday's clash with Germany, Ramos said it was only natural that fresh faces come into the team and that affects the style of play.
Sergio Ramos faces the media alongside Julen Lopetegui.
"The generations change and new players emerge," Ramos said. "Today there is more from Real Madrid than Barca, but that makes no difference. Barca's philosophy before was more highlighted in the philosophy of the national side, and now it is more balanced.
"There are more clubs with players here, not just Madrid, also Valencia, Villarreal... and that is good for Spanish football."
Homegrown Madrid players Dani Carvajal, Lucas Vazquez and Nacho Fernandez are in the current Spain squad, along with ex-Blancos youth players in Valencia's Rodrigo Moreno and Dani Parejo, and Chelsea's Marcos Alonso. Isco and Marco Asensio are two Madrid recruits who are important members of the squad.
Alvaro Morata and Jose Callejon are ex-Madrid players who featured in World Cup qualifying and could be in Russia this summer.
Meanwhile, an injury for Sergio Busquets means there are only three Barca players in this squad -- Andres Iniesta, Gerard Pique and Jordi Alba. Bayern Munich playmaker Thiago Alcantara and Napoli goalkeeper Pepe Reina are also products of the Catalan club's La Masia academy.
Dermot Corrigan is a Madrid-based football writer who covers La Liga and the Spain national team for ESPN FC. Follow him on Twitter @dermotmcorrigan
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Source: espn.co.uk