Xavi Hernández

[footyfan]

No :alonso: in midfield.

 

[Barcilliant]

People talk about messi dependency but spain and barca rely too much on xavi. He needs more rest. All our barca players are going to be knackered after this tournament.

 

[BerkeleyBernie]

53% Possession 47% WOW. Didnt watch the game what went wrong with spain?

Also, a 3-5-2ish formation from Italy, which also worked well in their first meeting at the last Euro. Spain usually controls the midfield by relying on opponents to play a back four. Pirlo had outlets, and Spain had less room than usual.

 

[Gaudi]

People talk about messi dependency but spain and barca rely too much on xavi. He needs more rest. All our barca players are going to be knackered after this tournament.

That's painful to watch. Our lads look exhausted, yet they will have little rest

 

[XaviMessiGirl]

If the ESPN commentators here were right, Italia outpassed Spain in the second half too (haven't looked up actual passing stats or anything to check), it was just a very un-Spain like game.

 

[loozy]

No :alonso: in midfield.

His midfield control and eye for the opponent and team mate were sorely missed and showed why VdB always played him and Busi.

 

[Neal Faradinho]

Spain decided to play defensive and hit them on the counter with Navas and Mata, that's what happened

 

[ZenI]

Spain decided to play defensive and hit them on the counter with Navas and Mata, that's what happened

Italy missed some easy chances in the first half when Spain was pressing. It could easily been 2 or 3 goals for Italy. Tragic thing is, the match looked a little like when we played Bayern (except that Bayern scored in the first half) but Tito is no VdB and didn't do the necessary changes even though it looked like we would get our asses kicked. VdB know what they are capable of, but he made rational and logic tactical tweaks because of Italy's tactic and form (and Spains form in this particular match).

 

[spark]

Xavi picked the order after the first 5 penalties.

http://www.as.com/futbol/video/xavi-decidio-quien-lanzaba-despues/20130628dasdasftb_21/Ves

 

[barcanuck]

He is going to be a legendary coach

 

[instinct]

He is going to be a legendary coach

Never thought of Xavi being our coach someday. Would be a dream come true!

 

[DonAndres]

He's proven once again he's far from the player he was before. I don't understand how people still say that he can start for another 2-3 seasons. Maybe as a correct and accurate passer, but not nearly as much of a positive impact as before.

 

[Stric]

It's obvious he's declined more significantly this season, but to be honest, the entire Spain team was horrible tonight, and his younger and healthier teammates were no exceptions. Just several days ago we had the opportunity to see him at his best, when he's rested and motivated. This is why he must not play as many games and as many minutes in each game as he has this season. If we can keep him in good physical shape like that, he can still be the at his best when the occasion is right.

 

[ZenI]

He's proven once again he's far from the player he was before. I don't understand how people still say that he can start for another 2-3 seasons. Maybe as a correct and accurate passer, but not nearly as much of a positive impact as before.

We could see it all season, beside 100% accuracy on 2-3m sideways passes he doesn't add much lately. He can't defend, he doesn't penetrate, he doesn't pass through balls nada, he is very slow - really frustrating to watch him play lately.

 

[Meitux]

He's proven once again he's far from the player he was before. I don't understand how people still say that he can start for another 2-3 seasons. Maybe as a correct and accurate passer, but not nearly as much of a positive impact as before.

Yeah,and also another fact is that he always does passes around him.He barely tries through passes anymore