years European Championships.
But the scoreline was decieving as Spain put forward another poor
performance. With total control of the game & ball Spain was´nt
able to finish off its opponent, it lacks finishing power & the killer
instinct.
However, the job has been done & Spain now joins Sweden as joint
leaders of its Group ( Sweden with a game less) & will again play
its destiny in Denmark on the 13th Oct in another must win clash.
XAVI HERNANDEZ scored Spain´s 1º goal in the 13th min from a
Joaquin pass. The Barcelona player was brilliant all night & possibly
Spain´s & the games best player.
JOAQUIN was excellent on his wing & drove the defenders crazy
all night, great to see the Valencia player hitting form again & will
be a value asset for Spain in further games.
INIESTA came on in the 2º half & gave the midfield more attacking
muscle & was dangerous throughtout, so much so that he set up the
2º goal for Spain
FERNANDO TORRES was disappointing all night , but managed
to score Spain´s 2º goal thanks to Iniesta. Torres returns to score
with the national side ahead a year of goal drought. The Liverpool
forward is not able to transfer his club form onto the national
side & it frustrates the fans & the player on the field. Lets hope this
goal spurs him on to better his fate in the future.
to score Spain´s 2º goal thanks to Iniesta. Torres returns to score
with the national side ahead a year of goal drought. The Liverpool
forward is not able to transfer his club form onto the national
side & it frustrates the fans & the player on the field. Lets hope this
goal spurs him on to better his fate in the future.
Match details:
SPAIN 2
Iker Casillas; Sergio Ramos, Juanito, Marchena, Pernía; Joaquín
(Angulo, m.78), Albelda, Xavi, Silva (Cesc, m.69); Villa (Iniesta, m.48),
Torres.
LATVIA 0
Vanins; Klava, Ivanovs, Gorkss, Zirnis; Bleidelis (Visnakovs, m.75),
Astafjevs, Laizans, Rubins; Verpakovskis (Blanks, m.89), Karlsons
(Pahars, m.63).
Goals : Xavi 13m ; Torres 84m
Conclusion: important win, but sad performance by Spain that does
not raise confidence.
6 comments:
Very disappointing display, I agree, but a win nonetheless. Two comments concerning how Spain seems to fail up front:
1.Lack of Strength and Courage. Either one would do, but Spain seems to drop back and wait for things to open up, rather than muscle forward or fire shots from outside. For example: Torres scored on a rebound from a gutsy shot from Angulo, who had just been subbed in.
2. Diving. The same poor play that has seen Valencia suffer is infecting the Spain national side, or perhaps it's visa versa. Aragones needs to step up and push his players to keep on their feet, fouled or not. How many oppertunities will David Villa miss out on in favour of dropping to the pitch in mock-agaony, after being nudged in the shin gaurd. It's shameful, and reminds one of C. Ronaldo. Aragones, however, acts like the clueless uncle, pretending he doesn't notice what's going on. Then Villa, Joaquin and the like take this poor sportsmanship back to Valencia.
Ramos and Angulo should be added to the list of players who performed well today. They showed strong forward movement and bravery.
¡Capello selección!
Does Spain want to win something someday in the not too distant future? He`s the only one to guarantee success.
Does Spain play well nowadays? No. And with Capello I`m sure that they won´t play as lousy and sloppy (from a strategic point of view)
The change will mean that the winning mentality will prevail again in the national team. Not this "natural born loser" attitude that Luis projects.
Could be a real good option.
Careful - he might play 2 defensive midfielders :)
2 defensive players? Like Albelda + ... Xavi Alonso? That's exactly how they played, last weekend, in Iceland. Surrounded by 2 out of Cesc/Xavi/Iniesta/Guti/Arteta? In Iceland: without Cesc (suspended) and Arteta/Guti (both ignored by Luis)
Who knows what "capo" Capello would choose? Since he's an England possible choice I’m sure he’s aware of Spaniards playing the Premiere. And Arbeola would be selected. In spite of his dismissal of Real Madrid's first team, under his regime.
He proved last season that he is not as stubborn as we feel he is. He rectified his mistakes and recovered players he ignored. Like Helguera, Robinho, Beckham, Salgado, Higuain, etc. Guti & Raul would always be selected (which as a Real Madrid follower I would hate; my theory being that it’s best for us not to have them playing/wasting time for losers like Spain)
Spain has excellent midfielders. It’s our best line. Being defence our weakest point. With only 2 top players: Ramos & (injured) Puyol. Marchena and Albiol (both from Valencia) are good supporting players. The weakness comes from both sides. Ramos can cover the right, as he is doing for the time being. Arbeola could well be the key in this situation. And “frivolities” like Angel, Arizmendi, etc. would not happen again.
They could also play a first defensive line with 3. Something not far from Capello`s ideas (plus Del Bosque won the 8th Champions Cup playing like this, aided by Grande who was also behind FC last season)
The point being is that Spain’s needs:
1. A winning mentality
2. Competitive defensive players & systems
excellent analysis Adrian.
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