Pepe Silvia
Active member
No one should be safe except Iniesta.
Spain
- Thread starter Jenks
- Start date
DonAndres
Wild Man of Borneo
Not really sure about Paco since he's a born poacher, he'd be as isolated in Spain's setup as Costa was.
Today was just depressing as hell but I think the atmosphere is pretty clear even among the players, this generation is over. Torres spoke about the next generation and Casillas made a mention of how many key players are over 30. Most were reminiscent of past success as well, signalling that they've accepted it's over.
For the next generation, I think it's key to keep an eye on the recovery/return of Jese and the development of Deulofeu. Spain have been horrible in attack and those two are players who know how to turn dominant buildup into attacking threat. If they can come good, they'll be unbelievably crucial in giving Spain some edge. I'd love to see Jese in a free left/central role roaming around as a predatory and skilled goalscorer while Deulofeu rampages down the right flank. The two have great chemistry as well.
As for midfield, I think it's pretty clear the direction to take. Koke, Thiago, Iniesta, Busi, and Javi Martinez should be the core for the near future. The likes of Isco (if he improves) and Oliver are more long term. Others like Iturraspe should be looked at as well.
Defense and GK is a bit worrying. It's scary that Spain's best CB's by far (Ramos and Pique) were such shit and so clueless. Bartra's next in line for me but he needs to use some more aggression and polish up a bit. As for fullbacks I have no issues with Azpi/Alba as they didn't particularly cause the crumble. Moreno and Carvajal are great for competition as well. As for GK, De Gea is great but I want it to be clear that he is the heir and for him to become more commanding and sturdy in tandem with his back-line.
Galning
Moderator
Ramos is like Puyol they said. Not even close. As some already said, Spain never had a high scoring team. They dominated possession and had an incredible backline. Guess who wasn't there during the Confederations and this World Cup.
Tip: It's not Arbeloa.
Blaugrana Bull
HiiiPoWeR
I agree with you but Spain won the 2012 Euros without Puyol and with Arbeloa in their back line.
The whole unit worked perfectly and because of that the defense was so great.
The whole unit worked perfectly and because of that the defense was so great.
Sumlit
San Claudio Bravo
So.... DonAndres, at the end it turns out I wasn't bold enough......
Sorry, couldn't resist.
F
Flavia
Guest
Where's Semi-neutral?
His sig was the ultimate jinx for Barça, spain and arsenal
His sig was the ultimate jinx for Barça, spain and arsenal
Sumlit
San Claudio Bravo
Where's Semi-neutral?
His sig was the ultimate jinx for Barça, spain and arsenal
He is committing Hara Kiri. His shame is unbearable.
Semi-Neutral
Sir Alupp Heynrguson
at least Asexis played well
khorne
New member
so, what can be said? it's not even that painful, because that fantastic generation with its unique football philosophy really had the full amount of success that they deserved. no result can take those 6 years away from them
Still, i really would have liked to see a dignified ending to that era. say, a semifinal against the later world champion where they lose 2:3 in a top match and they pass the torch with their heads up high. but oh well...
I expect them to be improved in 2016, but probably still too unpolished and transitional to win the thing. If the correct decisions are made now, i believe spain will be a real contender for 2018, maybe with a vintage iniesta as captain and a zidane like tournament for him (headbutt in the final optional
)
Still, i really would have liked to see a dignified ending to that era. say, a semifinal against the later world champion where they lose 2:3 in a top match and they pass the torch with their heads up high. but oh well...
I expect them to be improved in 2016, but probably still too unpolished and transitional to win the thing. If the correct decisions are made now, i believe spain will be a real contender for 2018, maybe with a vintage iniesta as captain and a zidane like tournament for him (headbutt in the final optional
)
Alarcón
New member
Del Bosque failed to do the necessary transition. Spain has almost the same team as 4 years ago which is laughable. Don't think he is the right man now to get them out of their misery, he's not a revolutionary, he doesn't see the game very well, he's great at taking ideas that are not even his and implement them into his team but that's it.
ManusXavi
New member
Chile coach Jorge Sampioli - "Spain are paying the price for the fatigue and fading motivation of their players after six years of near-constant success, rather than any inherent flaw in their tactical approach."
A long season is the reality though. Spain doesn't appear to have good tactics that work under fatigued conditions.
A long season is the reality though. Spain doesn't appear to have good tactics that work under fatigued conditions.
BerkeleyBernie
Senior Member
NOT the same team he put on the pitch today. Costa, Martinez, Azpilicueta, Silva. Has anything close to that lineup even played together before?
Alonso bad back-pass lead to first goal (beautifully worked by Chile, credit to them). Another Casillas brainfart (after Alonso foul) solely responsible for second goal.
Del Bosque had plenty of options in the squad short of wholesale "transition," but made the wrong choices.
Except for Valdes freak injury, could have been a very different outcome in both games. Casillas by far the weakest link, clearly not up to it this time.
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