RSS
ATOM
advertisement
World Cup Debate: Are Spain The Number One Favourites For The World Cup?
Goal.com's Subhankar Mondal looks beyond Spain's World Cup qualifier against Belgium and wonders whether the European champions are the favourites to become world champions in one year's time.....
|
Sign up with 188BET for a FREE bet up to £25 – Great Prices, Every Game |
|
Open an account with Sportingbet today and get up to £100 in free bets! |
|
Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25 |
|
Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200 |
|
Sign up with Paddy Power for a free bet up to £50 |
Sep 4, 2009 2:30:20 PM
They celebrated all night in Madrid, drenched themselves in the booze and took pride in the national flag. They relished the triumph in Catalunya too and there were reports of some blokes drinking to Spain's success even in Bilbao.
The Don Quixote 'myth' was busted, the perennial underachievers' tag was ripped off and "Y Viva Espana" rang loud and clear in the air.
Spain's defeat of Germany in the Euro 2008 final was historic. It was not only that the Iberian nation had won their first major international competition in 44 years, it was also that it was the first time in several years that a national team had won a major event by playing the beautiful game beautifully, by playing 'the right way'.
At the time Spain became the best team on the planet and the bookies', the experts' and the fans' number one favourites for the World Cup. They had the best squad, the best front-two, the best midfield and the best goalkeeper. In fact, they were best in everything. Well, almost everything.
But this summer's Confederations Cup has jolted many observers out of the Spain bandwagon. True, it was 'only' the Confederations Cup, a competition that perhaps even the fans didn't take seriously, and Spain had two of their first string players missing, but Spain's underachievement and under-performance stripped them of their number one favourites tag and suddenly the Spaniards are not great anymore.
At least not as great as they were last summer.
All Gone Awry In SA
Honestly, Spain never really got going in South Africa in June. Except in their opening match against New Zealand, Vicente del Bosque's side were under par and lacked the spark and hunger they had demonstrated during their Euro 2008 conquest. Against the USA in the semi-finals they were defensively susceptible, couldn't really hold the upperhand in the midfield and the attacking pair of Fernando Torres-David Villa were out of rhythm.
Spain Need To Lift Themselves
Maybe the Americans provided the sort of stiff challenge that top nations in the world would pose and perhaps the absence of Andres Iniesta - described by many as the 'other half' of Xavi - and 'dirty worker' Marcos Senna finally took its toll. Spain do not lack depth or replacements but Cesc Fabregas is yet to get fully integrated into the Spanish style of playing, Xabi Alonso is not a midfield terrier and the fascinating Juan Mata is not the polished gem that David Silva is.
The Iberians were slick and entertaining at times but their possession that usually borders on the obsessive became lateral on occasion and their defence was caught short of pace (and in the case of Sergio Ramos, caught napping). Spain were most people's favourites for the Confederations Cup but they lost the crown to a rather pragmatic, robust, European-like Brazil.
The Other Contenders
Oh yes, Brazil. As talented as the current Canarinho side is, they are not by any means an awe-inspiring, all-conquering, galactic footballing machine that Brazilian football teams are expected to be. Coach Carlos Dunga has instilled a certain degree of doggedness, perseverance and physicality in the team that is perhaps not quite in line with the unalloyed or 'pure' football that South America in general and Brazil in particular are famous for, but it is hugely effective nevertheless.
And this strategy is paying off for Brazil. Dunga's football might not be exactly spectacular - at times it can be quite ordinary to watch - but its effectiveness cannot be denied. Of course, this tactic has yet to be fully tested against the very best teams, but given its success so far it should be effective against the top European sides too.
Which is why, in spite of their 2006 World Cup failure, Brazil are one of the top favourites for the 2010 World Cup finals. And so are Argentina, or at least should be regardless of how inept Diego Maradona is at coaching what is probably the most talented side in the world. Argentina will qualify and in South Africa they will be one of the teams to watch.
Italy can't be kept out of the picture either. The Azzurri have been a pale and consistently receding shadow of themselves since their success in Germany three years ago, but with Marcello Lippi back at the helm things can and probably will improve. Bert van Marwijk has a talented Dutch squad at his disposal; if Raymond Domenech gets his act together then France can be a top contender; and in spite of their alleged lack of frightening talent and depth, Germany have reached at least the semi-final stage four times in their last five major international competitions.
Nor can Spain be disregarded. Despite their Confederations Cup failure it cannot be ignored that defeat by America was their first in 36 matches, the 2-0 scoreline putting an end to their 15-match winning run. Spain's first XI is probably better than everyone else's bar Argentina's, and they have quite some depth in their squad; but perhaps Spain are limited by their almost obsessive commitment to the philosophy of playing La Liga-esque passing, possession hogging, picturesque football.
That is both noble and desirable; whether it makes them the best in the world next summer remains to be seen.
Subhankar Mondal, Goal.com
The Don Quixote 'myth' was busted, the perennial underachievers' tag was ripped off and "Y Viva Espana" rang loud and clear in the air.
Spain's defeat of Germany in the Euro 2008 final was historic. It was not only that the Iberian nation had won their first major international competition in 44 years, it was also that it was the first time in several years that a national team had won a major event by playing the beautiful game beautifully, by playing 'the right way'.
At the time Spain became the best team on the planet and the bookies', the experts' and the fans' number one favourites for the World Cup. They had the best squad, the best front-two, the best midfield and the best goalkeeper. In fact, they were best in everything. Well, almost everything.
But this summer's Confederations Cup has jolted many observers out of the Spain bandwagon. True, it was 'only' the Confederations Cup, a competition that perhaps even the fans didn't take seriously, and Spain had two of their first string players missing, but Spain's underachievement and under-performance stripped them of their number one favourites tag and suddenly the Spaniards are not great anymore.
At least not as great as they were last summer.
All Gone Awry In SA
Honestly, Spain never really got going in South Africa in June. Except in their opening match against New Zealand, Vicente del Bosque's side were under par and lacked the spark and hunger they had demonstrated during their Euro 2008 conquest. Against the USA in the semi-finals they were defensively susceptible, couldn't really hold the upperhand in the midfield and the attacking pair of Fernando Torres-David Villa were out of rhythm.
Spain Need To Lift Themselves
Maybe the Americans provided the sort of stiff challenge that top nations in the world would pose and perhaps the absence of Andres Iniesta - described by many as the 'other half' of Xavi - and 'dirty worker' Marcos Senna finally took its toll. Spain do not lack depth or replacements but Cesc Fabregas is yet to get fully integrated into the Spanish style of playing, Xabi Alonso is not a midfield terrier and the fascinating Juan Mata is not the polished gem that David Silva is.
The Iberians were slick and entertaining at times but their possession that usually borders on the obsessive became lateral on occasion and their defence was caught short of pace (and in the case of Sergio Ramos, caught napping). Spain were most people's favourites for the Confederations Cup but they lost the crown to a rather pragmatic, robust, European-like Brazil.
The Other Contenders
Oh yes, Brazil. As talented as the current Canarinho side is, they are not by any means an awe-inspiring, all-conquering, galactic footballing machine that Brazilian football teams are expected to be. Coach Carlos Dunga has instilled a certain degree of doggedness, perseverance and physicality in the team that is perhaps not quite in line with the unalloyed or 'pure' football that South America in general and Brazil in particular are famous for, but it is hugely effective nevertheless.
And this strategy is paying off for Brazil. Dunga's football might not be exactly spectacular - at times it can be quite ordinary to watch - but its effectiveness cannot be denied. Of course, this tactic has yet to be fully tested against the very best teams, but given its success so far it should be effective against the top European sides too.
Which is why, in spite of their 2006 World Cup failure, Brazil are one of the top favourites for the 2010 World Cup finals. And so are Argentina, or at least should be regardless of how inept Diego Maradona is at coaching what is probably the most talented side in the world. Argentina will qualify and in South Africa they will be one of the teams to watch.
Brazil Know How To Win
Italy can't be kept out of the picture either. The Azzurri have been a pale and consistently receding shadow of themselves since their success in Germany three years ago, but with Marcello Lippi back at the helm things can and probably will improve. Bert van Marwijk has a talented Dutch squad at his disposal; if Raymond Domenech gets his act together then France can be a top contender; and in spite of their alleged lack of frightening talent and depth, Germany have reached at least the semi-final stage four times in their last five major international competitions.
Nor can Spain be disregarded. Despite their Confederations Cup failure it cannot be ignored that defeat by America was their first in 36 matches, the 2-0 scoreline putting an end to their 15-match winning run. Spain's first XI is probably better than everyone else's bar Argentina's, and they have quite some depth in their squad; but perhaps Spain are limited by their almost obsessive commitment to the philosophy of playing La Liga-esque passing, possession hogging, picturesque football.
That is both noble and desirable; whether it makes them the best in the world next summer remains to be seen.
Subhankar Mondal, Goal.com
| Sign up with 188BET for a FREE bet up to £25 – Great Prices, Every Game |
|
| Open an account with Sportingbet today and get up to £100 in free bets! |
|
| Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25 |
|
| Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200 |
|
| Sign up with Paddy Power for a free bet up to £50 |
|
Thank you for your comment!
Please enter your name
Please enter your location
Please share your comment!
118 Comments
Advertisement
Inside Goal.Com
-
Fabio Capello & FA differ on public perception
The governing body played the populist game and lost a manager who still had English football's best interests at heart but would not accept responsibility without command
-
The top 20 clubs in football's money league
Deloitte's annual publication of the richest sides in football sees a familiar Spanish duo stretch their advantage over England's finest in 2010-11
-
How Capello's exit will affect England's players
As the national team enters a new era, we take a look at the players who are now destined for big things and those potentially heading for the scrapheap under a new boss
-
Cartoon: Redknapp sentenced to England service
Goal.com cartoonist Omar Momani gives us his unique take on the football news of the day ...
-
The list of clubs that could try to sign Capello
Now that the Italian is no longer the England head coach, it is likely that a number of high-profile clubs from across Europe and elsewhere will make an attempt to lure him
Advertisement
Advertisement
