La Roja

What in the hell Pique was doing there as attacking player on the counter? I asked myself the same question during 6-2 win against Real and still don't know answer for it.

He's like Carvahlo, just takes the few chances he gets really well. If he grew up in England he would have been a target man.

We taught him that at man utd

Pshhhhh....

4. With Silva and Villa, Valencia cant go too far wrong this season.

Hlebagone wrote:2-0 Villa. Excellently taken by the best striker in the world.

Drogba's not Spanish mate, he plays for the Ivory Coast.

They should block all streams from this game in Poland, it's too disturbing to watch Spain 2 hours after watching Poland

All I can say after watching that game is: David Silva is a fucking brilliant player.

kas wrote:All I can say after watching that game is: David Silva is a fucking brilliant player.

Too bad we'll be signing Ribery next summer instead of him.

He has always been a great player, but much underrated and relatively cheaper to likes of Ronaldo, Ribery, etc.

Spain look very strong, and it's going to be a hard task for other teams. There are very few teams who could beat Spain on a given day.

I really think Valencia should do well in Liga this year. With such an attacking team, they really should.

Hmmm, I've alwyas been of the belief that Silva is talented, but overrated. His productivity has never nearly been good enough for someone that effectively plays behind the front two with little to no defensive responsibility. That said, his style of play is easy on the eye, and he's the sort of player ideal for Spain as he always keeps things ticking. When Ramos, Senna, Iniesta come back I'd like to see something like;

-------------------Cassilas
Ramos-----Pique*---Puyol*----Capdevila
-------------------Senna
--------------Xavi-------Iniesta
--------------------Silva
---------------Villa------Torres

* Or Albiol

In all honesty, Spain would be even better if they ditched a striker and played with a 4-5-1 with the extra midfielder (Cesc, Alonso, Cazorla etc), but we all know that isn't going to happen.

But that above formation would be pretty sweet with the FB's providing the width.

I honestly cannot see the WC going anywhere but to Spain at the moment.

What a side.

Unlike Brazil (at the moment), they play very attractive football to boot.

The only chance other European sides will have to beat them is by outmuscling them and playing it wide on the break.

because you CANNOT outplay Spain at their own game.

The key would definitely be to play with quick wingers, as Spain's only real weakness is a lack of width. They like to play it pretty through the middle,

so breaking quick down the flanks and delivering decent crosses into the box could be profitable.

Spider Crouch wrote:I honestly cannot see the WC going anywhere but to Spain at the moment.

What a side.

Unlike Brazil (at the moment), they play very attractive football to boot.

The only chance other European sides will have to beat them is by outmuscling them and playing it wide on the break.

because you CANNOT outplay Spain at their own game.

The key would definitely be to play with quick wingers, as Spain's only real weakness is a lack of width. They like to play it pretty through the middle,

so breaking quick down the flanks and delivering decent crosses into the box could be profitable.

Spain are the strongest side on paper (and I said this at the Euros too) A lot of people were writing them off because of past failures, but needless to say past failures have nothing to do with the current crop of players. I said the same at the 2006 WC - that Argentina were the strongest on paper, and if not for a moment of madness by Pekkerman that choice may have been vindicated.

With the players around ATM; like you, I see no reason why they shouldn't be considered favourites. Current Euro Champs, and with the exception of Puyol/Capdevila (who will still prbably be at a high level come next year) most of them squad haven't even reached their prime yet.

Of course, we all know football isn't played on paper, and there are a number of other sides who could easily walk away with this trophy with a bit of luck. And I can definitely see a couple of upsets in the balance of power, with the likes of Serbia, or maybe even Bosnia making a name for themselves (not winning, but getting quite far)

Course, if Argentina start picking the right players and playing well, and I'd definitely see them as a strong contender too.

they look so much better with silva on the pitch when compared to how they played without him at the confed cup, when iniesta returns they will have to absolute gems in midfield capable of breaking down the best of defenses.

now for them to drop alonso, for senna.

What an assist by Silva for Cesc's goal. Makes it look so simple.

yeah, it was a great one-two move. As was Carzola-Fabregas move for the third. Spain's attacking players exploit space with clever movement, and they find each other telepathically.

Mata's goal was brilliant too.

But again, a lot could change as I always stress out. I believe the world cup will be a bit affected by fatigue and injuries to key players of different NT.

With Villa and Güiza out with injuries Negredo gets his first call-up.

Probable line-up, according to Marca:
Reina; Ramos, Marchena, Puyol, Monreal; Senna; Cazorla, Fabregas, Xavi, Mata; Torres

Cesc's goal was fantastic. Superb pass by Xavi, and an even better finish.

Was watching a bit of this on stream last night. Fabregas and Xavi were excellent. Senna, Mata and both FB's were pretty good too. Rest were decent except Torres who was a bit shit again. Iniesta still playing like a bit of a pussy too atm.

kas wrote:Cesc's goal was fantastic. Superb pass by Xavi, and an even better finish.

Think the one vs Blackburn last weekend was better - harder too, as it was directly volleyed from Rosicky's quasi-overhead kick.

Negredo's scored two more goals, i.e. two, than Torres in the entire qualifying campaign.

Apparently Iniesta got a standing ovation from the Bosnia fans when he went off. By all accounts, he was abolsutely fantastic.

How good were Armenia?

Armenia were shit, ran a lot but cluelessly. And Bosnia last night were disappointing too relative to what I was expecting - they showed too much respect to Spain and didn't have enough self-belief or aggression in their attacks.

But yes, Iniesta and Silva were magnificent. Iniesta initiated 2 of the goals, but it won't show on the stats because he didn't get the final pass or finish.

Negredo played very well as the lone striker too. His first goal (Spain's 3rd) was a class finish (though the defender should have been much closer on him), and the pass he made to Mata (Spain's 5th goal) should go in the dictionary next to the word "sublime". Xavi, Riquelme, and Ronaldinho would be proud of that. Watch it below: