Spain Line-up vs. Canada

[Guest Jeffery S.]

Marca reports today that the Spanish team practiced with the starters for the Serbia match lined up vs. the likely starters against Canada. Seems the Spain idea is to have everyone who is a theoretical sub to be ready to step in in the same position and do the same job in case needed. So two 11s.

Thus we would see:

Reina of Liverpool in goal

Sergio Ramos, just signed by Madrid, on the right, with Juanito and Pablo in the middle and Antonio López on the left

Holding mid would be At. Bilbao's Orbaiz, with Espanyol's De la Peña organizing, Luque on the left, Luis García on the right, both very mobile but tending towards the middle

Tamudo, really more of an open field player behind the striker, who would be At. Madrid's Fernando Torres.

All told this is not as strong a side as the starters.

Reina is a good keeper, not the spectacular saver like Casillas, perhaps better in the air, not as good one on one, very strong stopping penalties.

The defense is not that different in terms of characteristics. Slightly lower in terms of man-marking, not as good going forwards on the outside.

Having Orbaíz makes them tougher in the middle, and de la Peña is a very creative mid with deadly inside passes, shoots from far out as well (apparently scored from 50m yesterday in scrimmage). Only has a right foot, which should be attacked, forcing him to his left and weakening him.

Neither Luque nor L. García are really mids, not the creative types in terms of passing. More dynamic going forwards, and both tending towards the middle. So they can be given the outside and will be in fact less dangerous in crossing from the end line than in the diagonal line of attack to goal from 25 metres out.

Tamudo as said is better in counterattacking. He has in fact lost quality in recent years. Careful, a big diver and big complainer.

Torres seems to have been slightly injured yesterday in scrimmage, so could be doubtful. Strong, agile, good shot. Should really score way more than he usually does but tends to miss easy ones. Still a toughie. If he is not fit we could see Luque up there and a more creative classic mid in for him, like Xabi Alonso.

All told the key is that we are no longer as threatened up the wings, and their defending in the midfield is not as good on the wings either. So if we can get our backs to go forwards and have some mids out wide we may have some success, at least up to their last third or so.

And Spain's short passing game without the Xabi/Xavi combination is diminished.

I see it as a 4-1-3-2, or even really a 4-2-3-1: how about that?

[canso]

That's a complete B team then!

[Guest Jeffery S.]

quote:Originally posted by canso

That's a complete B team then!

I see it more as a different way of playing than a B team. Many would argue that the only for sure starters for Spain would be Salgado, Puyol, Xavi. Others would add Casillas and Raúl, though this latter has not justified being a sure starter with his play in recent years.

There is no consensus on strikers either, as the team is not scoring lately, at least since the Eurocup.

It is also a different style team as the theory vs. Serbia, with the only defence in WCQ to not allow a goal, is that you have to open them up with strong wings who can beat a man and get you into a player advantage in the attack.

Vs. Canada the idea will be more direct as I see it. Thus we would not really need to play a 3-5-2 and would be better with the 4-4-2, there is a lot less wing activity to close down vs this Spain squad.

[Cheeta]

Well, well, well. I'm impressed. 2nd team or no.

From the characters I know a bit about, a fairly mobile bunch at that.

I don't think fitness is going to be an issue with Frankie's squad although speed might be in a few spots. Odviously, as usual, looking down the benchs there will be no comparison.

Still hard to guess Frankie's mind. I'd like to say if what Jeffery S. is reporting proves true, we might have a bit of fun for a 1/2 hour or so should the lads come out smartly with some aggression in the middle. After that I don't know. Individual battles are going to develop and there are a whole lot of red shirts who're going to be in over their heards.

Man, it's got to be hard organizing teams with some of the depth that they have available.

[Guest Jeffery S.]

quote:Originally posted by Cheeta

...there are a whole lot of red shirts who're going to be in over their heards.

Just to point out that since Spain plays red at home we will likely be in our whites for this game.