The problem is midfield - looks like Del Bosque has sacrificed attacking flair for increased stability. Arragones in 2008 got it right with Senna/Xavi in the middle and genuine attacking midfielders out wide. Del Bosque fielding Xabi Alonso and Busquests in the middle and Xavi out wide isn't working at all imo, and with Iniesta being off form compared to a year or two ago, it just seems very laboured in the middle of the park for Spain.
Still don't get how Busquets is getting picked, he's looked shit imo and against Portugal gave away a number of clumsy fouls. They'll be lucky if he doesn't cost them at a later stage. Furthermore, although this may be difficult to explain, I think there's a problem with Xabi Alonso being in the team. He's obviously a class player, but there's something about him that just doesn't seem right for the Spaniards. Maybe he's better suited to playing in a fast, direct attacking side, where his tendancy to spray passes first time is more useful. Xavi in the middle two years ago was immense for Spain because of the way he kept the ball in the middle of the park, allowing angles to be opened up for teammates, players to be played into space, better retention in the middle of the park, etc etc. Hence, with Busquets/Alonso, I don't think they have that in the middle this year.
Good post, the problem with Xavi is he's playing too far up the pitch. This somewhat negates what is his greatest attribute, namely running the show in the middle of the park.
Reckon they'd do well to take Alonso out of the side and throw in either Fabregas or Silva. Alonso is a quality player but they've really no need for him in the team when they've got someone like Xavi on the park. Get someone on there who can be more of a threat in the final third.
Torres being woefully out of form doesn't help much either obviously, I'd be tempted to use him from the bench for the next game.
A front six of...
------------------- Xavi ------------- Busquets
Iniesta ---------------------------------------------- Silva/Fabregas
-------------------- Llorente -------- Villa
would be interesting to see. Obviously it's not going to be a rigid 4-4-2, but you get the idea.
