FIFA World Cup 2010 Portugal vs. Spain - Spain’s Tactical Setup
The Spanish team which won the European Championship of the year 2008 was one of the best international sides of the past 2 decades. Firstly they had a brilliantly balanced squad, secondly they had players with technical skill and thirdly their off the ball movement had been absolutely astonishing. Their three goal demolition of Russia in the semi finals still remains one of the best displays by a Spanish side ever, in the history of International football.
Spain’s shift towards tactical changes in their formation has been influenced by their history of under achieving with comparatively superior players. Duplicating the strategy that Spain employed in their Euro 2008 campaign, Spain are playing a similar line up in the world cup with the exception of one or two minor changes.
For Euro 2008, Spain deployed a 4-1-3-2 formation with Senna playing as the holding midfielder in front of the back four and Iniesta, Xavi and Silva playing as the midfielders with Torres and Villa as the striker. At times Spain also reverted to a 4-5-1, with either Torres or Villa giving way to Fabregas in midfield, both of these systems were successful but it can be argued that the later one was more effective given that Spain achieved their success over Russia through that particular system.
Spain in the FIFA World Cup of 2010 does not have the services of Senna available to them, so their system has changed a little. Spain now plays two defensive midfielders to cover for Senna’s loss. Senna, a specialist defensive midfielder is now replaced by Xabi Alonso who is a deep lying playmaker in a defensive midfielder’s role and Sergio Busquets who is a defensive midfielder but does not possess the capability and experience of Senna.
By implementing these changes, Spain has had to at times sacrifice one of their strikers, which at most times has been Fernando Torres. Other times they have sacrificed an extra midfield man in Fabregas. These changes have allowed Xavi and Iniesta more freedom to express themselves in the oppositions half as they seldom worry about their defensive duties due to the two man cover in front of the Spanish defense.
For the match against Portugal, it is quite likely that Spain will go with a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Villa as the sole striker. This formation has worked well for Spain so far in the competition, and it will be convenient as well as Fernando Torres has been off form in the past couple of matches, he also has a major fitness concern going into the round of sixteen tie.
To give width to Spain’s attack which has been narrow at times in this tournament, their manager Vicente Del Bosque might play two more natural midfielders such as Silva and Jesus Navas, instead of Iniesta on either wing. This will give Spain two options; to stretch the opposition’s midfield and then play the ball through the gaps leaving the finish to David Villa, or to whip some crosses in from wide positions to test the Portuguese defenses aerial ability.
The Plan B for Spain will be to withdraw either one of the defensive midfielders and bring on Iniesta in central midfield to give them more creative options or withdraw one of the wingers for Iniesta so that he can cut in from one side of the field. In doing so, Iniesta can also create space for his full backs to run into. Ramos and Capdevilla have both shown that they are not shy to cross the half way line to support the Spanish attack.
Another option that Del Bosque has is to introduce Fernando Torres in order to occupy Portuguese defenders with the striker’s electric pace. The Liverpool star striker also offers a greater aerial presence in the box.
It will be an interesting battle as these inhabitants of the Iberian Peninsula take on each other to decide who gets to play Uruguay or Ghana in the quarter finals of the FIFA World Cup 2010. Spain are the favorites going into the match given their squad strength and success at Euro 2008 but Portugal have Cristiano Ronaldo who can produce a flash of brilliance to turn the game on its head.
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