Great technique, speed and finishing. Spain is all that and more. But when it comes to the big events they always fail.
Judging from the teams that compose it, Group D is probably the most spectacular group of the four. With modern technique that is characteristic of Spain, the solid and pacey style of Greece and Sweden and Guus Hiddink’s Russia that is promising to surprise, all is yet to play for in this wide open group at Euro 2008.
Spain
Undoubtedly one of the most complete squads in terms of both technique and experience, Spain has always enjoyed the advantage of instilling fear in their opponents long before kick off. Yet despite this they rarely performed to the fullest of their potential at major football events.
Their best result to date at a World Cup is a fourth place achieved in the 1950 edition. At the Euro they have fared better with a first place when they organized the tournament themselves in 1964, and a runner-up spot in neighbouring country France 20 years later.
In all their other tournament participations their hopes of victory were abruptly brought to an end by first round exits or quarter-final losses, raising legitimate suspicions that theirs is a flaw in mental approach. Supporting this thesis is their round 2 exit in the 1982 Wolrd Cup they were entrusted to organize, where they managed just one victory in five matches.
The Manager – Luis Aragones
Aragones’ first task after being appointed was to take Spain to the 2006 World Cup. There his team failed once again in consistency as they seemed a different squad in the round of 16 tie against France than they had been in the group phase. They had to once more bow down and accept an early failure.
Aragones had not managed to give the team that which it had lacked for years. And things got even worse at the start of the Euro 2008 qualification campaign when Spain lost twice in succession to Northern Ireland and Sweden. Things took a different turn as they went on but they never looked a reliable side.
As a manager Aragones has been in many places around Spain but never managed great success. His golden years have been spent at Atletico Madrid when he clinched the title in 1996 and twice lead them to a Copa del Rey triumph.
The Squad
Spain has one of the best equipped teams at Euro 2008. On an individual level they have great capabilities in all departments starting from the goalkeeper, with expert number 1 Casillas backed up by Premier League-based Almunia and Reina, and ending upfront with classy Torres and David Villa vying for the one-man attack preferred by Aragones.
Experienced strikers Raul Gonzalez and Raul Tamudo can be employed in a decentralized position as supporting forwards. A task which can also be well covered by Valencia players David Silva and Joaquin.
The midfield is well orchestrated by Barcelona pair Xavi and Iniesta who between them have provided four assists to their team mates and scored seven goals. The defensive midfield role can be given to anyone between Xabi Alonso, Cesc Fabregas and Albelda, with the latter proving to be Aragones’ favoured choice.
The rearguard has proved solid enough despite the unlikely centre back couple formed by Puyol and Marchena. They are as defensive as it gets for Spain as both full-backs Capdevila and Ramos are more prone to attack and leave the back uncovered.
Prediction
Any team which can appreciate how Spain often fail to close up the flanks may take advantage of Aragones’ team at Euro 2008. With such tactical perfectionists as Otto Rehhagel, Lars Lagerback and Guus Hiddink leading nations in Group D it will be difficult for such a weakness to go unnoticed.
Besides that, there is always the fact that Spain have to live with their eternal negative tradition at major tournaments that has them packing their bags after a few games. Aragones has not convinced that he can actually tackle this problem for Spain so Euro 2008 will most likely be another disappointment for a hugely talented but misguided squad.
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