New approach means Spain can surprise
How tHey qualified: 1st in Group C; P10 W9 D0 L1 27pts. Macedonia (h) 5-1; Slovakia (a) 2-1; Luxembourg (a) 0-4; Belarus (h) 3-0; Ukraine (h) 1-0; Belarus (a) 0-1; Slovakia (h) 2-0; Macedonia (a) 0-1; Luxembourg (h) 4-0; Ukraine (a) 0-1.
CoaCH: Vicente Del Bosque DEL BOSQUE should be seen as a national hero after leading Spain to World Cup and European glory in 2010 and 2012 respectively.
However, a dreadful World Cup campaign in Brazil 2014 has threatened to taint his legacy in his homeland.
The 65-year-old (right) will call it quits after this tournament and will hope to leave on a high after a strong showing in France.
His team is one in transition but the veteran coach still has more than enough quality at his disposal to expect a relatively simple passage through Group D – and well beyond.
Star player: Andres Iniesta NOW more than ever, Spain’s hopes of glory rest largely on the shoulders of their diminutive playmaker. At his best, Iniesta is an absolute genius.
When he’s off the boil, he’s merely brilliant. In France he will provide a link between Spain’s opposition-strangling possession play of old and the increasingly dynamic approach demanded by Vicente Del Bosque.
Such is Iniesta’s ability, both technical and mental, he can play both modes just as effectively, and if he is on form alongside Barcelona team-mate Sergio Busquets, few teams will be able to cope with Spain’s range of passing and movement.
analySiS:
IT seems more than a little odd given how recognisable Spain have been during their glory years, but Vicente Del Bosque’s side are heading for France as a bit of an unknown quantity.
The possession-first brand of football that saw them win the European Championships in 2008, theWorld Cup in 2010, then Euro 2012, has effectively been ditched after they were embarrassed in Brazil two years ago. In its place is a newfound willingness to go direct, try long balls and hit on the counter.
It’s a style that served them well in qualifying, with nine wins from 10 games seeing them comfortably through as Group C winners. However, the confidence that once defined the Spaniards seems to have evaporated.
Xavi and Xabi Alonso have both retired from international football, while David Villa has effectively done the same thing by moving to the USA.
David De Gea, Gerard Pique, Sergio Ramos, Sergio Busquets, Cesc Fabregas and Andres Iniesta are all still key men – and would stroll into the starting line-up of every country at the tournament.
“We have qualified and the FIFA ranking shows we are among the top teams,” says Del Bosque of his side. “There are signs of a change, we must have some patience and I believe we will arrive at the Euros in good condition.”
If that is the case, Spain can target the Final without fear – unknown quantity or not.