FIFA 2010 World Cup: The offence factors in the match Spain between Portugal and what morals should be taken in the match against Paraguay
They are two countries on the Iberian Peninsula. They are two countries two countries whose offensive football strength is world recognized. They are two countries that are considered to be one of the best footballing nations in the world.
Though the Spanish team came out as the victor in the match and pre match stats did tip the scale in their favour, the match was as such that both teams have never matched up more equally ever before. They both played extremely well in the FIFA 2010 World Cup in South Africa
As both teams have a sharp and talented attack, a predictable fast paced game was seen. Experts had predicted that the whole game would be heavily dependent on each team’s offence and skill and that actually was seen despite the fact that Spain scored the only goal of the match.
Now that Spain has proceeded to the quarter final against Paraguay and Portugal has been knocked out, both teams must have learnt some morals. Here is an analysis of that.
1- Cristiano Ronaldo the key attacking midfielder of Portugal, how Spain learnt to block him
Now here is a stunner; you might have known Cristiano Ronaldo from either Manchester United or Real Madrid as the ultimate goal scoring machine and the God of footballing talent. However, his score for Portugal has been nowhere as amazing as it has been for his clubs.
While he scored 26 goals in 29 appearances for Real Madrid in the last season, a season where his club came agonizingly close to beating their counterparts Barcelona which ironically consists of most of the Spanish national team, Ronaldo’s tally for his country sums up at 23 goals in 76 appearances.
Though that is true but it does not suggest that he is the kind of the player that should be left alone and unmarked. The problem that has been noticed is that the Portugal team is heavily dependent on the single man despite them all having great skill. The problem was that Ronaldo is used to be playing as a forward on the wing and if he is suddenly forced to be the pivot in the wings then of course his performance is going to be effected.
While all that maybe true no credit can be snatched from either Gerard Pique or Puyol. They were present at the right place at the right time. While a man, marked Ronaldo they were always guiding other players to positions to block the offence from Portugal, which eventually frustrated them and they lost it.
2- The David Villa and Cristiano Ronaldo rivalry, how Ronaldo succumbed to pressure and how pressure can be used against Paraguay
These two players Villa and Ronaldo are the keys for the success of their teams. They both are at an age where youth and experience is well balanced and has started to glow. With these instruments present they both have the tools to carve their names into history.
While Ronaldo is 25 years old and Villa is 28 they both have been pivots in the triumph for their countries in the past. In comparison to Ronaldo’s single goal in the tournament, Villa has produced 4 so he has the edge in that aspect. Similarly Ronaldo has been named the man of the match on all occasions in this World Cup.
This means that Villa is under much less pressure than Ronaldo was elucidating that while Villa is important for the La Furia Roja’s offence, Ronaldo is just as precious a team member for the Seleccao das Quinas.
Had Ronaldo not succumbed to pressure a very different game would have been observed. No glory can be taken away from Villa as he has been outstanding so far in the tournament. In a match if you hail one person as your hero and help him attain that, it indirectly pressurizes the other team and their stars start to mess up in simple plays. This strategy worked out beautifully for Spain.
3- Will Fernando Torres be able to pierce through the Paraguay Defence
Though he was suffering from a groin injury, his performance for the Spanish team has not met standards yet. The fans are discontented and so is the coach Vicente del Bosque. Still Bosque has promised that he will make it up to them and the skilful striker will use all his talents to provide a flashing performance. Though he had great attempts in the match against Portugal he was replaced in the second half.
There were a couple of instances where he should have attained a goal but still he is progressing day by day and will hopefully prove better in the next match against Paraguay.
Well if he manages to engage like he used to, the 26 year old man who produced the winner for Spain in the European Cup, he is sure to produce a winner in South Africa too.
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