Ceballos starts his final push for a Real place

Spain crushed Croatia in Elche, evidencing how well Dani Ceballos, amongst others, have taken to Luis Enrique's way of working.

The 2018/19 season has started well for the former Real Betis star, radically different from the way the last year ended.

"He changed the system so that I would not play," the midfielder said, referring to Zidane.

Now, however, everything has changed.

For starters, the departure of Zidane has given way to a coach in Lopetegui that's in love with the way Ceballos plays the game.

In the previous campaign, the player participated in just 22 matches and didn't break the 900 minute mark for time on the pitch.

This season, he's already appeared in three of the four official matches played to this point.

He premiered in the European Super Cup, in which he added his first 44 minutes of play, then was a starter against Getafe, in the inside-right position.

He played another 71 minutes before being replaced by Luka Modric.

Though he traveled to Girona, he didn't participate in the 4-1 win in Montilivi, but came on against Leganes just after the break.

Lopetegui considers him as one of his main alternatives, and he far exceeds the contribution of players like Lucas Vazquez, to give an example.

Baptism with Spain

On Tuesday he made his debut with the Spanish senior team.

A starter against Croatia, he had freedom of movement and given a wide radius to work in, besides being responsible for stopping Luka Modric.

Another 90 minutes in the legs of a player who shone at U19 and U21.

Now, at 22, the Andalusian faces a new stage both in his club and in the national team.