Spain Boring – Really now ?

Leave a comment

June 27, 2012 by Archy

“I would prefer [Portugal] to play deep. I like us to be in the opposition’s half and to have possession of the ball. I think that we have the players and the resources to open up defenses”. These were the words of Spain coach Vicente del Bosque ahead of Spain’s semi final clash with neighbors Portugal. With La Furia Roja deemed boring on several occasions this tournament, del Bosque and Spain seem to be going ahead with the same formula – bore Portugal till death.

Yes, it is true. Spain have been boring to a certain extent. But is it because of their ability to keep the ball so efficiently or the opponent’s inability to counter such immense possession. It is now as Iker Casillas stated –“Spain vs the rest of the world”. There is an aura about them which they have earned by winning the last two major tournaments. But in Euro 2008– Luís Aragonés’ side averaged just more than 450 passes per game than any other side with the highest in a match being 531 passes against Sweden. This time around in Euro 2012, Xavi Hernandez broke two all-time Euro records: most passes attempted (136) and most successful passes (127) in a game. The team, with 859 successful passes during the match, also broke the record for total passing in a Euro game. The previous record was 778.
Another startling statistic by Opta reveals 68.2% of possession for Spain in Euro 2012, 65.2% in 2010 and 56.6% in 2008. The increase in possession means a proportional increase in the no. of passes. There are 2 reasons – Sid Lowe explains one of the reasons to be the two defensive midfielders [Xabi Alonso & Sergio Busquests] instead of one [Marcos Senna]. I would blame the other on the success of Chelsea. Any team could do a Chelsea but the chances are that they would lose 9 times out of 10. The way they defeated Barcelona by taking the only chances they got has made people think the only way to battle the tiki-taka is to lay deep and get the 1 chance they get. But what we also saw last season was a Real Madrid team that created multiple chances against the tiki-taka of Barcelona. But Spain are no Barcelona and nor can any international team [present] prove to be a counter attacking threat as Real Madrid. Spain are boring because opposition teams put their entire team in front of the D-box and except to come at them. And Spain pass and pass and tire your minds till you make a mistake. Well what else do you expect? To say, ok enough here take the ball and attack a bit so that we can make the game a bit more interesting. Bollocks.

The 2008 Spain team had the pace of in-form Torres up front and the 2010 team had Pedro and Villa. The defense is much more solid than that of Barcelona but Spain have no Messi or Villa or Pedro. Spain lack pace. They cannot punish opposition teams in the same way as Barcelona can if the opposition try to attack and play entertaining football. Just take the game of Italy, was Spain boring in that game? Did the game bore you or the opponent till death? No, it was a fascinating technical battle and one of the best matches so far. Why, Because Italy were trying to get possession and do something with the ball rather than just hope. Teams playing deep and altering their game just makes them play to their weakness and Spain’s strength. Laurent Blanc wanted to emulate Spain’s game before the tournament and ended up playing with two right backs against them. There is no doubt that Spain are one of the best teams of all time if not the best. They are really a step or two ahead of the rest and by attacking and trying to get the possession of the ball does not guarantee you a win but increases your chances of a win from 10% to 50%.

Aamer Aslam