UEFA EURO 2012 - Poland/Ukraine

[Zakov]

I think the way Spain setup their midfield also strengthens their defense.

But apart from the game against Ireland(where they changed) they haven't been at their best attacking-wise with this system.

What was the deal with Negredo starting? I never noticed him apart from the few times he was fouled.

 

[Sir Calumn]

I think the way Spain setup their midfield also strengthens their defense.

But apart from the game against Ireland(where they changed) they haven't been at their best attacking-wise with this system.

What was the deal with Negredo starting? I never noticed him apart from the few times he was fouled.

Yeah he was completely irrelevant, I can only guess that Del Bosque thought his presence would draw the Portuguese and create more space for the midfield.....

Basically I dont think Spain are at their best either playing false 9 with Fabregas or playing with an unreliable striker, which unfortunately both Torres and Negredo appear to be at this moment. They are REALLY missing Villa, but I really think they should have given Llorente a try by now, at least he is powerful and is on form and I imagine the rest of his team have more faith in him than in T or N.

 

[Xifio]

uhhhh??? he bitched out ...

Grainy connection, was probably Pepe, maybe Nani. Don't remember now.

yeah, Nani ... excellent penalty ...

anyway, it was the most boring match of the Euros by far, especially from the second half onwards ...

I really enjoyed it..... alright, the second half was a bit slow but I thought the first half was such a beautiful tactical clash, almost like a chess match, and I loved watching Spain gradually go up through the gears in extra time.......

don't know why they left it till extra time to do so, but it did provide some late excitement ...

would have found it more interesting tactically if it were clear what exactly Negredo was supposed to be doing in that starting formation ... needless to say -- whatever it was -- it flopped ... and Spain lacked their usual panache in passing (till extra time, I suppose), which meant that Portugal hardly looked exerted, both physically and tactically, while keeping themselves in the contest ... hence the boredom for me ... but I'm glad someone [amongst the neutrals] found something to enjoy in it ...

 

[ShiftyPowers]

I don't praise anyone for a Panenka. Statistically it's the most likely penalty to score. Keepers, especially in really big moments, always pick a side and go.

Anyway, Spain are ignoring the fact that no matter how good you are, through balls behind the defense can work a lot as defenders make mistakes even at such a high level, and even a perfectly positioned defense can be sliced through with the perfect ball. Not having anyone up there completely takes this away, which makes it much easier on the defense. Ostensibly it can cause confusion by the defense not knowing who will break forward, but when you're holding guys back to retain defensive solidity, this goes out the window. This is why successful false 9s are dynamic players with pace who can play as a midfielder, but also get on the end of through balls.

 

[Sir Calumn]

I criticize goalkeepers for not standing their ground more. I cant remember the exact figures but something like a third of penalties go down the middle, or are at least savable from the middle, whereas keepers stand their ground less than 10% of the time.

 

[Zakov]

Basically I dont think Spain are at their best either playing false 9 with Fabregas or playing with an unreliable striker, which unfortunately both Torres and Negredo appear to be at this moment.

Well, call me biased but I think Torres has done enough to warrant a start ahead of Negredo and Llorente. Perhaps not so much at the beginning of the tournament. But despite all the flak he gets for not converting his chances, he is capable of creating opportunities for himself and his runs are what Spain needs at the moment.

I thought in the 2nd half, Navas and Pedro both got into great positions to put the ball in, but due to the false 9 system they didn't have any target inside the box.

If they were to play Germany in the final, Torres or Llorente definitely has to start, otherwise it'll be another cagey game. I guess if it's against Italy, Del Bosque's bound to change things given how the first game went.

 

[kp41]

Spain badly miss David Villa, they didn't find any replacement and that spot changes for every match.

 

[Sir Calumn]

I am biased in the same way as you yet I think Llorente deserves a starting place ahead of Torres - Llorente has been on form for much larger parts of the season, he plays for a team which play much closer to the style of the Spanish NT and he has been playing alongside and against Spanish players all his life..... I would pick him I think.

Anyway, this final will be a real, real test of Del Bosque. NONE of the performances so far would be good enough to beat Germany (assuming it is Germany), NONE of the formations\starting 11s so far would be good enough to beat Germany, but he does have an amazing squad at his disposal and many things he could tweak tactically... I get the feeling that whether Spain win this or not will really be down to his abilities.

 

[ShiftyPowers]

I'd think about starting Pedro or Navas ahead of Silva for width who hasn't done much against teams not named Ireland. And Torres or Llorente for Cesc of course.

 

[Arnau]

Spain plays tiquinaccio

 

[poet11]

Cristiano, you glory hunting cvnt!!!!!

What the hell is up with this percentage garbage from Spain? They even turn back and pass back instead of releasing the wide players with when a goal is desperately needed with a few minutes to go. Its just so incredibly painful to watch. So much talent but no balls-worst best champion ever if they win!

Hope ze Germans tear em a new one.

 

[Pogba4Now]

I don't watch much of La Liga TBH but I like Soldado. I think he's a good target man. Would he be better than Negredo or Torres or Llorente?

 

[Arnau]

Soldado is a goal poacher

 

[Pogba4Now]

He's damn good at it. Not quite sure if he would suit Spain but he recently scored a hattrick for Spain. He's the kind who would get at the end of crosses from Navas.

 

[Back Door Skip]

I'm glad I only tuned in for the penalties. I doubt the game was any good.

 

[Arnau]

He's damn good at it. Not quite sure if he would suit Spain but he recently scored a hattrick for Spain. He's the kind who would get at the end of crosses from Navas.

Navas and Pedro play to make the pitch wide and create space inside for Xavi, Iniesta, Silva etc... but since Confe cup Del Bosque rather play Tiquinaccio: 2 DMF, 4 man back, 0 deep players like Torres or Pedro. 100% control of the ball (Iniesta and Silva goes to the ball not to the space), no chances for the rival, no chances for Spain. It's a boring defensive but very competitive team.

 

[Arnau]

Oh, and Sergio Ramos Retarded or balls of steel? after all the jokes about his penalty against Bayern...

 

[ShiftyPowers]

Total moron, but that was a smart penalty. Sometimes you're just too "stupid" to know any better, you know?

IF Germany gets through, it would be a shame if Klose didn't play. Ramos is just asking to get dragged all over the place out of position and hasn't face any forward yet who can do it. Gomez won't either.

 

[Arnau]

Did you know in entrance test to college there was a quesion about Ramos ball?

 

[MaestroZidane]

^^ hahahahaha... that's awesome.

Even though it's from a player from the team I love.

And It was a Balsy move, and because it went thru, totally worth it