Confederations Cup 2013 - Final: Brazil 3-0 Spain

[Cruijffista]

My heart was beating out of my chest during the shoot-out especially since Cesc and Alonso were out and they would no doubt would have been taking penalties.

It was great to see Navitas nail the winner like that considering all the problems he had with his anxiety.

Xavi and Iniesta are the consummate professionals, they got cold water flowing their veins in situations like this. Busquets looked nervous.

La Roja showed the nerve of a champion once again. I really wish Del Bosque wouldn't have abandoned the double-pivot just because Alonso is out. Javi came in the game and started muscling players off the ball just like he did Xavi in the CL Semi-Finals. He should have been our future CB, have always said that.

Is it just me or was La Roja missing Cesc out there? His runs from midfield, his through-balls keeping the opponents on their toes, etc.? I don't think we give him enough credit around here and take him for granted.

 

[Jadentheman]

Javi is not a CB, he's a DM

oh and

Pra Frente BRASIL!!!

 

[Cruijffista]

Javi is not a CB, he's a DM

oh and

Pra Frente BRASIL!!!

Did you watch Javi Martinez's last season with Bilbao? Bielsa converted him to CB and I thought he played very well there too. If you didn't watch him with Bilbao fine but don't tell me he hasn't played as CB for more than half a season and looked like a stud doing it too. Barcelona tried to purchase him last summer to play as a CB but Bilbao insisted on not making a deal and that his buy-out clause had to be activated. Bayern activated it, which was 40M euros. I never thought he could justify the price tag but somehow he did.

And yes we all know Martinez normally plays as a DM, did you not see where I mentioned him to be in Del Bosque's double-pivot? I still think he would have made a fantastic duo with Pique.

I love these know-it-all types who know nothing about Spanish Football.

 

[Alissa]

What a game that was, never been so proud of our game. Spain got outplayed (I even read somewhere that Italy had more passes ) and they had no plan whatsoever how to hit this Italian side, and that is thanks to Prandelli, what a coach he is. Italy deserved the final more but it wasn't meant to be I guess. *sigh*

And Iniesta, what the hell was that?????? Definitely no respect for someone that good who needs to resort to such nasty tactics.

I loved Iker during the penalty shootout, he looked clueless, once or twice he didn't even move. And then he goes and wins the MOM award. Oh damn. My MOM was Candreva, he looked nice out there.

Can't wait for next year, this Nazionale side is exciting to watch.

 

[SEvolution]

Italy deserved the final more but it wasn't meant to be I guess. *sigh*



And then he goes and wins the MOM award. Oh damn.

How deluded one can be. Spain surely deserved the victory they did changed the rhythm of the game from being attacked in the first 20-25 minutes and 0 shots on goal in the first half iirc to constantly pressuring the parked bus with Azzuri flag on it. Anyways, even if Italia survived the PK shoot it would have been too easy for Brazil as they have their (Azzuri's) number. They have failed to beat any brazilian side since 1982 iirc

Iker won it for keeping spain in the game as they were being attacked from left, right and center in the first half. That was a great performance after a long time by Iker.

 

[XaviMessiGirl]

"Parked bus" If Italia had won there would be so much bitterness in this thread. It was a defensively sound, counter-attacking side. There's a difference. They played a wonderful game, were able to create quite a bit.

 

[suckabov]

I hope Spain plays better in the final. I want them to win.

 

[DavidVillano1]

Italy didn't park the bus, the game was quite open actually, more than I expected!

 

[SEvolution]

"Parked bus" If Italia had won there would be so much bitterness in this thread. It was a defensively sound, counter-attacking side. There's a difference. They played a wonderful game, were able to create quite a bit.

Opinions can differ? Is there a room for 'different opinions' on this forum?

Anyways do you agree with 'Italy deserved the final more than Spain' statement.

 

[suckabov]

Looking at the whole tournament, I think Spain deserved it more, although Italy played better, at least most of the time, yesterday.
Anyways, I don't like these "X deserved it more than Y" statements. If Italy don't score against Spain (or score fewer penalties, that is) , they don't deserved gering to the final.
Having said that, I have penalty shootouts so much.

 

[Alissa]

How deluded one can be. Spain surely deserved the victory they did changed the rhythm of the game from being attacked in the first 20-25 minutes and 0 shots on goal in the first half iirc to constantly pressuring the parked bus with Azzuri flag on it.

I didn't say that Spain didn't deserve the win, I just said that Italy deserved it more, the reason being, and I'd like to quote you on this: "Spain were being attacked from left, right and center in the first half". So how does that make me deluded?

And with all due respect, you can't predict the future, we don't know what would have happened had it been an Italy-Brazil final.

And we definitely have different definitions of the term "parked bus". *confused*

 

[Cruijffista]

Italy definitely played better than La Roja in the first half but Casillas did have some nice saves.

Spain improved the second half especially when Navitas came in. I felt the momentum starting to change.

Spain owned extra time, they just have more depth than Italy.

It was definitely a war of attrition. Fair result but my hat goes off to Italy, they made us earn it.

Ramos was MOTM to me. He always puts in a good shift. What a gritty defender.

 

[Cruijffista]

I didn't say that Spain didn't deserve the win, I just said that Italy deserved it more, the reason being, and I'd love to quote you on this: "Spain were being attacked from left, right and center in the first half". So how does that make me deluded?

And with all due respect, you can't predict the future, we don't know what would have happened had it been an Italy-Brazil final.

And we definitely have different definitions of the term "parked bus". *confused*

Italy didn't "park the bus" but I disagree Italy deserved it more too. I thought both teams played very physical and had their moments.

 

[Alissa]

Italy didn't "park the bus" but I disagree Italy deserved it more too. I thought both teams played very physical and had their moments.

Fair enough, I respect that opinion. But in this case saying that Italy deserved it a bit more is not such a weird opinion to have, certainly not to the point of calling someone deluded. I remember at one point it was 6-1 on corners in favour of Italy, I remember Spain having no shots on goal in the first 30 minutens, so yeah you can disagree that Italy deserved it more but it's for sure an opinion that you can accept because it's not that far off. And I agree that Spain owned extra time, they have so much depth it's not fair and Italy was soo tired they had difficulties staying on their feet. That they managed to keep Spain from scoring is a miracle and something that I admire them for.

 

[Cruijffista]

Spain have not allowed a goal in the KO stages of a major tournament in 6 years. What a feat.