Football World Cup favorite Spain's preparation for the World Cup
European champions, Spain, are quietly preparing the 2010 World Cup, so quietly that the media are barely talking about them; at least not as much as a favorite. Top favorite to win the tournament, Spain is facing doubts with some of its main players coming back from injury.
The Spanish team finished their second week of its preparation and unlike France or Brazil, La Roja is looking to keep the attention away from them, as any hype can endanger their focus. After a first week of preparation outside Madrid, the Spaniards took the plane to Austria for their second week of preparation. With total calm, Spain took advantage of the relaxing atmosphere in Austria to be fully energized before going to South Africa. The Spanish federation even asked for all roads around the hotel to be closed: a way to better prepare the team mentally by putting their players and staff in the best conditions. Two friendly games were also setup to be played in Austria.
After beating Saudi Arabia 3-2, in a tighter game than expected, Spain beat South Korea 1-0 at Innsbruck.For the South Korean game, Vincente Del Bosque decided to keep his starters on the bench. He was looking to evaluate the regulars on the bench and one young player did not disappoint. Jesus Navas of FC Sevilla scored at the 86th minute to give Spain a hard fought win against a very organised South Korean team. Spain is having trouble getting back to its fluid game that won Spain Euro 2008. The ball movement was slow at best and many technical errors were making Del Bosque scratch his head.
Both Saudi Arabia and South Korea seemed to know Spain very well: either both teams knew them by heart or Spain is currently predictable. The Marchena-Albiol central defense duo was struggling against a fast, quick and physical South Korean team. The usual pairing is Puyol-Pique but Vincent Del Bosque says ''We were well organised et gave little chances to our opponents. There are 2 solutions to find spaces: be patient and depend on individual skill as a last resort. We must accept these gaps and find solutions to resolve our issues.''
With its win against South Korea, Spain has recorded its 11th consecutive victory but questions are still arising. The first one if the current physical form of some of its star players.Coming back from a surgery on his right knee, Fernando Torres is still in the recovery phase. Back in practice, the Liverpool striker is the only player who has not played in any of Spain's friendly games. Another star of the team is Cesc Fabregas who is coming back from a injury to his tibia. He played 54 minutes in the game against South Korea. His presence on the team was uncertain but Del Bosque felt he needed him and Spain's medical staff assured the manager that Fabregas would be ready for the World Cup.
Will both Premier League stars be fit to face Switzerland on June 16th in Durban. Another question mark is Iker Casillas' current form. Casillas was on the bench for the game against South Korea. His current club form was at best average for a goalkeeper of his status. He is confirmed as the number 1 goalkeeper by Vincent Del Bosque but the Pepe Reina and Victor Valdes are breathing down his neck.
Many Spanish fans and media are feeling the Victor Valdes has the upper hand to take the number 1 spot after a good season with Barcelona. But, the hierarchy should not be changed by the time the World Cup starts.
Tags: