World Cup Preview - Group B - Spain
Absurd FIFA ranking: 1st
Coach: The mustachioed wonder Vicente del Bosque
Game Schedule:
June 13 – Spain vs. Netherlands (Salvador, 3 p.m. EST, ESPN)
June 18 – Spain vs. Chile (Rio, 3:00 p.m., ESPN)
June 23 – Spain vs. Australia (Curitiba, 12:00 p.m., ESPN2)
Prospects: The current World and European champions would ordinarily be considered favorites to recapture their throne. However, the 3-0 demolition at the hands of the 2014 hosts Brazil in last summer's Confederations Cup showed that La Roja's tiki taka possession style is not only deadly to watch but full of vulnerabilities. The main weakness continues up top, where - unless Brazilian born Atletico striker Diego Costa recovers from injury - Del Bosque may well decide to revert to his "striker-less" formation with Cesc Fabregas and Andres Iniesta as false forwards. It's a tough road in Brazil this summer with a competitive group and real danger for whoever comes out of Group B in second slot. Spain will have to be at their very best to get to the latter stages.
Key Player: Real Madrid schemer Xavi Alonso makes the Spanish system work by mopping out any messes at the back and allowing the more flair players to do what they do best.
Youngster to watch: 25 year old Barca left back Jordi Alba is as dynamic romping forward as he is tackling back.
Who Will Get the Goals: Goals will likely be shared around the side, with perhaps Barca's David Villa edging out the others.
Who Will Get the Cards: Real Madrid center back Sergio Ramos often finds himself out of position and doesn't mind tugging a shirt when he gets into trouble. He's a yellow card waiting to happen.
Prediction: Narrowly beating out Chile in the group stage before being knocked out in a 4-3 thriller by Brazil in the Round of 16.
posted by The Blue Devil @ 10:10 AM
2 Comments:
An interesting analysis. I agree with the tactics and even if Diego Costa is out I think La Furia Roja will find a way to scrape by to the semis via 1-0 wins or penalty shootouts. I have a feeling that they will edge out the Dutch for First place, defeat Mexico in the round of sixteen, edge out the winners of England's group in the quarters, and lose to the Argies in the semis.
I hope they lose and lose BAD!
I am fed up with them!
It always seems to happen. A country comes along that hasn't won anything and wows us… then they keep winning and now we hate em….. France comes to mind
Why can't England do this!
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