Spain have won the last three major tournaments they have entered, so you have to fancy them! I wouldnt read too much into their defeat by Brazil in the Confederations Cup final - they still have a plethora of world-class players and are certainly not weaker than when they won Euro 2012. The only thing thats stacked against them in my view is history - no European team has won the World Cup in South America. This Spain team remains more than capable of changing that though. Spains typical starting XI How do they play? Style & formation: Spains possession game, coupled with their determination to quickly win the ball when they dont have it, has been wearing down the opposition for over seven years. Spain typically play 4-3-3, with full-backs Jordi Alba and Alvaro Arbeloa attacking like wingers and centre backs Sergio Ramos and Gerard Pique often joining in play beyond the halfway line. Strikers only tend to enter the box at the last minute for the element of surprise. Strengths: Spain have a seemingly inexhaustible supply of talented midfielders: Xavi, Andres Iniesta, Sergio Busquets, Cesc Fabregas, Xabi Alonso, Juan Mata, David Silva, Javi Martinez, Santi Cazorla, not to mention European Under-21 winners Isco, Asier Illarramendi and Thiago Alcantara. A revitalised Pedro has added extra penetration and goals. Weaknesses: Goalkeeper and captain Iker Casillas has barely played for Real Madrid in 2013, while there is a lack of quality cover at centre back. Then theres the issue of who plays as a striker - none of the candidates have excelled in their auditions so far. Fernando Torres .
Posted on: Mon, 24 Feb 2014 16:11:57 +0000
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