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Has there been a more talented less successful team than Spain in recent decades? Whilst other countries run them close, for sheer lack of results in recent seasons Spain has to be a leading candidate. What is most bewildering is their seeming ability to cruise through qualifying only for their luck to turn once they reach the tournament itself. However, could this be the year that Spain’s luck is about to change in? The squad has a fresh new feel to it. It isn’t dominated by the rival factions of Real Madrid and Barcelona and has only been picked with form in mind rather than appeasing certain sections of the country or certain club presidents. The reigning Champions of Spain Real Madrid contribute just two players to the squad, whilst Barcelona have only three call-ups. Whilst this is certainly a reflection on the shifting power base within Spanish football to sides such as Villarreal it also indicates the increasing tendency of Spanish players to move abroad (4 of the team come from the Premiership). In qualifying Spain were obliged to come from behind in the group after suffering a shock defeat in Northern Ireland 3-2, and it wasn’t until late on in the group that they overhauled Sweden for the group lead, thanks to a 3-0 win against the side who finished second in the penultimate group game. Although Spain scored fewer points against their fellow top four sides in the group than Sweden managed, 12 points in comparison to 14 for the Swedes, their consistency especially in the latter stages of the group was rewarded with the group win. Player for player Spain certainly can boast an impressive squad but the hard work they made of qualifying suggests that they may still be some way short of the standard required to beat Europe’s best. But they’ll have to do better at the tournament itself against Europe’s best if they wish to repeat their only triumph at a major final when they won in 1964 on home-soil. Those who hoped that Spain can reverse a trend of qualifying well only to stutter in the tournament itself, would do well to cast their mind back 4 years when Spain crashed out of Euro 2004 before the knock-out stage. Then they had to resort to a play-off to see them through to the final after Denmark surprisingly beat them to top spot in the qualifying group. However, those who had hoped that a poor qualifying would result in a good tournament were sorely disappointed. A promising start with a 1-0 win over Russia wasn’t followed up after they drew with Greece and then lost to Portugal in the final match to see them wind up third and out of the tournament. The World Cup of two seasons ago was also a disappointment. After starting the group stages confidently Spain were drawn to face France in the round of 16. However, as at the quarter final stage of Euro 2000 some 6 years previously, despite playing predominately the better football, it was the French who carried the greater threat winning 2-1 thus forcing Spain to pack their bags early again. Several of the Spanish stalwarts of recent seasons have made way for new faces. Out goes Raul of Real Madrid despite scoring 18 goals this season, making Aragones statement that the squad was picked on form rather than history sound rather hollow. Whatever the famously stubborn manager says the decision still smacks of vindictiveness and intransigence. Valencia players have also been a major casualty of the new policy of form over class. After struggling to keep themselves out of relegation, Aragones has dropped several veterans of the team, who date back some 6/8 years. Previously Spain’s third biggest club was one of the biggest contributors of players to the team and although 4 players make it into the 23 man team out go: Joaquin, Ruben Baraja, David Albelda, Santi Canizares and Ivan Helguera. Regardless of whether Aragones used form or class as the criteria for his goalkeepers there is simply an obligation to pick Iler Casillas. Once again the Real Madrid goalkeeper has had another sensational season in goal for the Spanish Champions. His world class saves must be worth at least 15 points a season to Real and having won many accolades with his club Casilas must be desperate to repeat his success with his country. Casillas’ back-up are the dependable Andres Palop and Liverpool’s Jose Manuel Reina. Both are excellent keepers but barring injury to Casilas will be destined to sample the air of the Austrian and Swiss countryside rather than first team action for Spain this summer! Aragones has gone for 8 defenders with only Barcelona’s Carlos Puyol among them having any great amount of international experience. The Barcelona captain will be an automatic first choice although the rest of the starting spots are up for grabs. The Valencia pair of Raul Albiol and Carlos Marchena look to be the most likely to slot in alongside Puyol, whilst the versatile Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos could be used at both right or centre back. If Ramos does get shifted into the centre than Liverpool’s Alvaro Arbeloa may be in with a chance of making his mark at right back. Despite having only 1 Spanish cap prior to the tournament he is one of the beneficiary’s of Aragones new selection policy. At left back Villarreal’s Joan Capdevila is the most likely starter. Like Arbeloa he likes to get forward from his full back slot but is also a confident defender. Spain have opted for just one recognised midfield enforcer in the shape of Villarreal’s Marcos Senna. The naturalised Brazilian has been in Spain for several seasons initially with Osasuna and more recently with Villarreal. Depending on how adventurous Aragones is feeling he may start with Fabregas and Xavi as the two midfielders in the middle, giving both of them licence to get forward but also charging them both with the responsibility to cover the back four. Both Fabregas and Xavi could compliment each other perfectly as both are masters of the defensive and attacking midfield arts and the centre of the park is one of the strongest areas of the Spanish squad. Another options is Liverpool’s Xabi Alonso, who is becoming frustrated on the Anfield bench so will view this tournament as the ideal chance to showcase his talents and earn himself a move potentially back to Spain. Spain also have plenty of strength in the wide areas. On the right Andres Iniesta, although more commonly seen in the middle for Barcelona, can perform with equal effectiveness on the flank. The lithe midfielder, still only 24, already has 22 caps for Barcelona and looks to have a great future ahead of him. Another terrific prospect is Valencia David Silva on the left flank. After breaking through into the Valencia first team last season Silva has cemented his place as his club’s and countries first choice player on the left. At just 22 he also looks set for a glittering career. Other uncapped possibilities are Getafe’s Ruden de le Red an Villarreal’s Santi Cazorla. De la Red, the former Real Madrid trainee, has enjoyed a brilliant season under Michael Laudrup helping his side to the quarter finals of the UEFA Cup as well as another Copa del Rey appearance. The play-maker can play through the middle or on either flank and is versatility obviously makes him a useful player to have in the squad. Meanwhile Cazorla has been in fine form for Villarreal setting up numerous goals from the left as well as contributing 5 in the league himself this season. It will be a tricky decision who to start with in the attack and Spain’s lack of on obvious foil for their enormously talented attackers could be a key weak point. Aragones had the relatively straight forward task of selecting David Villa of Valencia and Fernando Torres of Liverpool. Both have enjoyed excellent seasons with their respective teams but the pair haven’t hit it off when played together. This would mean that Spain need to think about finding a partner for either Torres or Villa but in Dani Guiza have another out and out striker at their disposal or Sergio Garcia. The latter is an interesting inclusion and seems to have been picked at the expense of Raul. Sergio Garcia has only managed 4 goal in 38 appearances this season in the league so it can hardly be form that has persuaded Aragones to include him. Therefore the logic must be that Aragones feels Garcia can perform the link man role between either Torres or Villa and the midfield better than Raul could. Spain’s only other option would be to use David Silva up front to partner either Torres or Villa but this would leave them short on the left flank. With only the uncapped and untried Cazorla or de la Red to use then on the left this would be a risky policy to pursue. Aragones has insisted his side have enough strength to see them into the quarter finals. However, they have been drawn with Sweden against whom they lost away in qualifying plus Russia and Greece, old rivals from 4 years ago in Portugal. If Spain can combine their obvious attacking talents into a well oiled unit then there is every chance they could reach the final stages of the tournament. Too often through they have looked like a group of individuals and team spirit has looked low. A united Spain all pulling in the same direction could be a frightening prospect for any opponent, but if they fall apart again then this new Spanish chapter could easily be consigned to history as another flop. Posted by James on Saturday, 24th May 2008 (Average rating 0 from 0 votes. Vote) (0 Comments) |