Spain

[Flavia]

Spain has a relatively poor record in those friendlies don't they?

No, they play well in 433. Also, whats the point in experimenting, then? If hes never gonna try to be more offensive.

 

[Jenks]

No, they play well in 433. Also, whats the point in experimenting, then? If hes never gonna try to be more offensive.

You experiment to see what works and what doesn't. Clearly he felt it wasn't going to work in competitive games.

 

[PearLBLacK]

The 433 doesn't need to be changed. It's the personnel that needs to be fixed. Playing with a double pivot, too many playmakers, or no striker isn't gonna win you games against parked buses. Busquets and Alonso don't need to play together. One of them is enough. Soldado isn't playing good, neither is Torres. Don't know why Llorente doesn't get a chance. At least Villa is back, so there's a proper striker.

I'd suggest a 433 of (Casillas; Juanfran, Pique, Ramos, Alba; Busquets/Alonso, Xavi, Iniesta; Villa, Llorente, Pedro). Too many Barca players for my liking, but at least they'd perform much better. Alonso and Busquets are interchangeable. Each has different qualities: Busquets being more defensive and more familiar with Xavi & Iniesta, and Alonso with his long range passing and physicality. I honestly don't care which plays. And the front three would each offer different approaches.

 

[Flavia]

You experiment to see what works and what doesn't. Clearly he felt it wasn't going to work in competitive games.

In one of the best recent displays from spain, alonso was benched. There was no need for a double pivot against georgia. VdB gives more importance to not concede than to score, because that's how they're winning. It doesn't mean he's right, though. Spain can still improve. I understand why he is like that. He's conservative, doesn't like to take risks.

 

[Corb]

Didn't see the game. LOL

 

[Corb]

Del Bosque: "Catalan players are within their rights to defend their independence"

Google translate of the article:

Barcelona, (Editorial). - Pep Guardiola's vote in the National Day of Catalonia is bringing the Independence line. First it was Alfonso who criticized the words of former Barca coach and now Vicente del Bosque has been the one who has come to defend Pep. The Spanish coach believes that the Catalan "is their right to defend their independence."
"Every town should have the freedom to choose their future," he said Del Bosque during an interview on radio station Cadena Ser A word that will not leave indifferent fans of La Roja.
The coach said the role of Spain in their match against Georgia in the program of José Ramón de la Morena, and did not hesitate to give their views on the video sent from New York Guardiola.

LaVanguardia

Wow! Del Bosque

 

[Galning]

Nice.

 

[Raed]

When all that is said and done, 3 international tournaments is fucking amazing.

 

[Barcaman]

Called up players for matches against France and Belarus:

Valdés, Jordi Alba, Xavi, Busquets, Iniesta, Cesc, Pedro, Villa (Barcelona)
Casillas, Arbeloa, Sergio Ramos, Xabi Alonso (Real Madrid)
Reina (Liverpool)
Javi Martínez (Bayern Múnich)
Monreal (Málaga)
Juanfran (Atlético de Madrid)
Beñat (Betis), Silva (Manchester City)
Cazorla (Arsenal)
Torres (Chelsea)
Navas (Sevilla)
Soldado (Valencia)

 

[PearLBLacK]

Pique is not gonna make it? And Mata not called up?

 

[Ursegor]

That's only 22 players? Someone's missing. Albiol? He would be the only central defender available without Pique. Don't think del Bosque would play Martinez there against France. Martinez has never played there before in del Bosque's system.

 

[antonnn]

Lol @ Del Bosque saying there's no room for Mata. What a ridiculous side Spain is that they can leave out a player of Mata's quality!

 

[Meitux]

mata atm is much better than silva who is off form since the Euro

 

[Daemul]

Hey, he's won 2 tournaments in a row, who are we to question him.

 

[zanela]

Too easy for the U-21 boys. Leading 3-0(Rodrigo hattrick) against the Danes in the playoffs, and its not even halfway mark.

Planas, Tello, Montoya and Bartra playing for anyone interested.