FIFA 2010 World Cup: Spain’s patient strategy, David Villa
If the Netherlands win, there will be rewards for Rep, Cruyff, and Krul, which has been called the 'Best Team Never to Have Won the World Cup'. For some idealist it is a defect in the history of the game that the country that invented the concept of Total Football has never taken the prize.
But if Spain wins, then the fans of Barcelona and Arsenal who are always going on about their passing skills, will rejoice with joy.
These are two very modern football teams, for they combine key elements of pragmatism and style. Spain does this to the greatest effect. Still with all the talk that is done about their glorious style and wonderful passing, Spain's defense is usually over-looked. They have stars defenders like Raul Albiol, Gerad Pique, Carlos Marchena, Carles Puyol, Joan Capdevila and Sergio Ramos.
Spain's success depends heavily on their defense being so tight. Players in the center and forward field can do whatever they want and not be worried about holding the ball. As they know that the people behind them are doing whatever they possibly can to create a chance to score.
What many believe to be the most important factor for Spain’s conquest is their movement and not their passing. It is not David Villa’s finishes but Spanish team’s patience. Although, David Villa, has indeed, been outstanding for them. Villa is one of the best strikers out there. He sustained a serious injury as a child but due to his father’s support, he made a full recovery, and is a fantastic player now. He constantly acknowledges his father’s support and says that he can barely remember any training session as a kid when his father was not there.
Even in the last three knockout matches none of the goals were particularly spectacular. There were two rebounds and one header that scored them a win in each match. Spain always plays slowly finding its way through the opposing team’s defense. They always go well into the second half before they score for the win. One can confidently say that the Spanish won’t be remembered for the goals in the World Cup.
Further proof that Spain has surpassed all expectations and has come around after a few years is that they won Euro 2008 and no one expected a World Cup win with all the pressure and many other psychological factors. The Spanish still came out shinning and with a perfect qualification record as the European Champions.
Spain has an iron will to go with, what some people call their “magical feet”. They stay calm and don’t fold in the face of heavy competition. Argentina did wonders in the group stages but failed miserably when they came face to face with decent teams. But Spain has always come out shinning in such situations even if they don’t win the match they still come out shining.
The Spanish team provides the perfect balance of pragmatism and beauty. The team is tough but still always remains stylish in their way of playing the game. They have been called the team that is easiest to watch and the most difficult to beat.
Tags: