La Roja

Kroos wrote:still can`t score

Jaime wrote:F*cking hell Del Bosque has called Munir to replace Diego Costa. What about Llorente? What about Aduriz? Unreal.

Obviously some big problems with Spain. Not just shut out I don't think there was even a proper shot on target. There were some really good spells, particularly in the first half. But the team still doesn't full know how to utilise Diego Costa and vice versa. Costa's big problem is he just stands and watches while the rest of the team knocks the ball around the pitch. There is no attempt of him to lose his marker. When the team countered, he looked dangerous.

For the life of me I can see no point to Cazorla. He's a good player but he doesn't really offer anything different or unique. Raul Garcia, I'm not sold on him especially if he is going to play out on the right hand side. He works for Atletico but I don't know if he translates to Spain. Azpilicueta should be the new Arbeloa, used situationally but for me he is not a left back and not as good as Carvajal on the right either. In fact it was really his mistake that led to the goal.

I think if everyone is fit something like this could work:

-----------------De Gea

Carvajal-----Pique-----S. Ramos-----J. Alba

------------Busquets----Koke

---Silva------------Cesc----------Iniesta

------------------D. Costa

Maybe someone like Isco for Silva. Or Pedro if they want a slight variation. Even though it would be a narrow team with Carvajal and Alba there would be out wide that could stretch the other teams defenders a bit.

I liked De Gea's performance. He didn't give up a lot of rebounds which has really become a terrible habit for Casillas. Eventually there will have to be a change and I think if it's now De Gea is ready to step in.

Deluded F*ck wrote:All I have to say is:

David De Gea SELECCIÓN

Lose Mourinho wrote:f**k Cesc, Isco is already twice the player Cesc is. This new Spanish team should be primary built around Isco. He's so talented, it's scary to think how good he could become. He reminds of Zidane.

110% wrote:

blutgraetsche wrote:Xavi (finally) retires from international football.

Spain midfielder Xavi announces his retirement from international football

• Barcelona player won 133 caps for his country
• Xavi: ‘I’m grateful for all those years’



Spain midfielder Xavi has announced his retirement from international football.

The Barcelona player, 34, was part of the teams that won successive major tournaments at Euro 2008, the 2010 World Cup in South Africa and Euro 2012.

“I have decided to retire from international football,” Xavi told a press conference on Tuesday. “I’m grateful for all those years. It has been a fantastic time.”

“From now on I’m another fan of the Spain team. I’m grateful to everybody at the Federation (RFEF), it’s been a marvellous time for me to be there for so many years and have so much success. I’m leaving very proud and I wish them all the best.”

Xavi made his international debut in 2000, the same year as he helped Spain win an Olympic silver medal in Australia. Further success came in 2008 when he was named player of the tournament as Spain won the European Championship in Austria and Switzerland - the country’s first international success since 1964.

Two years later Xavi was a key part of the Spain squad that won the World Cup for the first time in their history, and then in 2012 he helped his country retain their Euro crown in Poland and Ukraine.

http://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/aug/05/xavi-retires-international-football-spain-barcelona

End of an era.

The era ended 3 games ago, against Holland.

Agree with kroos, great player, but a bit overrated. Works in only one system which was used at club and national level, with the added benefit of familiarity with his team-mates at both levels, who collectively controlled 70%+ possession and therefore the majority of games. He was an important player to that system, but it was the system that won those tournaments.