ponsaelius Posted June 24, 2012 Share Posted June 24, 2012 I agree in general that they are too negative under VdB considering the personnel but France were far, far more to blame for the spectacle today. They played with 2 RBs on one side of the pitch, 3 midfielders who were sitting defensively and only Ribery/Benzema who were in the opposition half. They showed absolutely no ambition to try and win the game and made it easy for Spain. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ponsaelius Posted June 24, 2012 Share Posted June 24, 2012 The other thing I'd say about Spain. Without Puyol and Pique off form their CBs look a bit soft, and the fullback positions are equally dodgy (Alba is basically a winger and Arbeloa generally looks like he's not quite good enough for the company he's in). They are not weak defensively by any means but it is slightly frail. By maximising the amount of possession they have, limiting the transitions of play, push the opposition back and press the ball immediately when they lose it they can limit the amount of times the defence is placed under genuine pressure. In a way it is playing to their strengths to cover their weaknesses. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
nufc4eva Posted June 24, 2012 Share Posted June 24, 2012 The other thing I'd say about Spain. Without Puyol and Pique off form their CBs look a bit soft, and the fullback positions are equally dodgy (Alba is basically a winger and Arbeloa generally looks like he's not quite good enough for the company he's in). They are not weak defensively by any means but it is slightly frail. By maximising the amount of possession they have, limiting the transitions of play, push the opposition back and press the ball immediately when they lose it they can limit the amount of times the defence is placed under genuine pressure. In a way it is playing to their strengths to cover their weaknesses. I think the Germans will beat them if they get to final Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sifu Posted June 24, 2012 Share Posted June 24, 2012 Missed the game last night but judging from the posts in this thread, I really didn't miss much did I? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mistle17 Posted June 24, 2012 Share Posted June 24, 2012 Vincente del Bosque has said this morning that his players are "jaded". The way France played last night offered Spain the chance to drop a few gears. If you are jaded then I think you will take a chance like that to slow things down, especially in such a high profile game with what was expected to be a fiercely contested encounter. A lot of people don't realise how aggressively they work collectively to win the ball back, they exert a lot of energy when they are out of possession. I thought the Spanish could have been more adventurous, offering a lot more penetration, but they chose to keep the ball instead. I don't see a problem in that. If only England could do that, eh? As Sewelly said above, France offered Spain a free pass to the Semi's. The Spanish got away with playing in reverse, they weren't going to turn it down. I think we'll see a better performance against Portugal- they're not going to want to lose the chance to defend their crown to their neighbours. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Village Idiot Posted June 24, 2012 Share Posted June 24, 2012 Guess it's the rose tinted spectacles I'm wearing, but I thought we were brilliant last night Quite enjoyed trolling the frenchies with those long possession spells. And I think that with Pedro and Torres on we looked like having the penetration we usually lack, but it was very late in the game (still brought us a couple good chances and the pen, however). Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
loki679 Posted June 24, 2012 Share Posted June 24, 2012 Guess it's the rose tinted spectacles I'm wearing, but I thought we were brilliant last night Quite enjoyed trolling the frenchies with those long possession spells. And I think that with Pedro and Torres on we looked like having the penetration we usually lack, but it was very late in the game (still brought us a couple good chances and the pen, however). No doubt if I was Spanish I would have been happy with that performance but for the rest of us it was as dull as ditchwater. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ketsbaia Posted June 24, 2012 Share Posted June 24, 2012 If needed, Spain were ready to step up several gears but that French 'performance' meant they didn't have to. Without being brilliant, you could tell their brilliance is here and it's ready. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fenham Mag Posted June 24, 2012 Share Posted June 24, 2012 That is some fucking line-up for the Semi's. Has to be a Germany/Spain final though. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cajun Posted June 24, 2012 Share Posted June 24, 2012 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Decky Posted June 24, 2012 Share Posted June 24, 2012 Couldn't ask for a better semi final line up. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
alpal78 Posted June 25, 2012 Share Posted June 25, 2012 Why?? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darth Crooks Posted June 25, 2012 Share Posted June 25, 2012 Iberia Derby looks tasty with the Axis Powers facing off. Funny I always thought history tught us that the Italians usually give up before we reach the germans. #allfriendsnoweh? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
AyeDubbleYoo Posted June 25, 2012 Share Posted June 25, 2012 Looking forward to enjoying the rest of the Euros now, should be a couple of cracking matches. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super Duper Branko Strupar Posted June 25, 2012 Share Posted June 25, 2012 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
AyeDubbleYoo Posted June 25, 2012 Share Posted June 25, 2012 Mad! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Posted June 25, 2012 Share Posted June 25, 2012 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimburst Posted June 25, 2012 Share Posted June 25, 2012 Fucks sake Ridiculous. Stealing that. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. Snrub Posted June 25, 2012 Share Posted June 25, 2012 The fuck? Where's that from? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ponsaelius Posted June 25, 2012 Share Posted June 25, 2012 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super Duper Branko Strupar Posted June 25, 2012 Share Posted June 25, 2012 Found it on Twitter Passing Young: 85 Pirlo: 79 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dinho lad Posted June 25, 2012 Share Posted June 25, 2012 The fuck? Where's that from? ronaldo. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest neesy111 Posted June 25, 2012 Share Posted June 25, 2012 96 Cross. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pata Posted June 25, 2012 Share Posted June 25, 2012 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mole_Toonfan Posted June 25, 2012 Share Posted June 25, 2012 The f***? Where's that from? ronaldo. What i was going to say Young better passer than Pirlo? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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