I very rarely disagree with Keni but I do disagree with the idea that you just have to give Spain the flanks.
That's what Italy did and they got raped because of it imo. The concept that Spain won't cross it in is completely true but flawed - they won't cross it in like and england or germany but they use that area to get in behind. I've not seen a team get in behind so many times as Spain did in the final. Italy gave them the edges - the space was ridiculous. Spain took it and used it to get Fabregas and others in behind all the time. That's where the first goal came from and they constantly had the CB's wondering which way to face.
Agree with Pesam's thoughts on it. Portugal did it very well and really just needed a Drogba / Torres type player to take advantage of it. I thought Portugal outplayed Spain tbh - they pressed the hell out of them and Spain started missing passes and clearing balls like Wimbledon. People said they were off their rythmn but that was due to the opposition.
As has been said by Ryan and Ken, you have to press them which requires tremendous fitness making Portugal (young and fit) and probably Germany the best bet. Fitness isn't all of it, of course, but it's a huge part imo. I'd like to know the regime that Madrid have been following cause two seasons ago they started to do this but fell in a heap after 25 minutes. Last season they did it and kept it up leaving Barca struggling. I thought Spain looked tired in extra time against Portugal and were playing for pens even more than Ronaldo and co; the same was true of Barca against Madrid last season - they looked tired at times. They're very fit themselves but they're not used to chasing the ball for long periods and doing so throws them out of their stride.
That's what Italy did and they got raped because of it imo. The concept that Spain won't cross it in is completely true but flawed - they won't cross it in like and england or germany but they use that area to get in behind. I've not seen a team get in behind so many times as Spain did in the final. Italy gave them the edges - the space was ridiculous. Spain took it and used it to get Fabregas and others in behind all the time. That's where the first goal came from and they constantly had the CB's wondering which way to face.
Agree with Pesam's thoughts on it. Portugal did it very well and really just needed a Drogba / Torres type player to take advantage of it. I thought Portugal outplayed Spain tbh - they pressed the hell out of them and Spain started missing passes and clearing balls like Wimbledon. People said they were off their rythmn but that was due to the opposition.
As has been said by Ryan and Ken, you have to press them which requires tremendous fitness making Portugal (young and fit) and probably Germany the best bet. Fitness isn't all of it, of course, but it's a huge part imo. I'd like to know the regime that Madrid have been following cause two seasons ago they started to do this but fell in a heap after 25 minutes. Last season they did it and kept it up leaving Barca struggling. I thought Spain looked tired in extra time against Portugal and were playing for pens even more than Ronaldo and co; the same was true of Barca against Madrid last season - they looked tired at times. They're very fit themselves but they're not used to chasing the ball for long periods and doing so throws them out of their stride.
