WC2010 Group H - Spain, Switzerland, Honduras, Chile

Jaime wrote:There is a lot of theories and criticisms but for me the bottom line is Xavi was very regular. If he had a good game I doubt anyone would be talking about the wingers or the fullbacks or the substitutions, etc. Also, in spite of the colossal f*ck up by Casillas, Puyol, and Pique (even though nobody will talk about anyone but Kodak) on the goal it really was quite a lucky play the way the ball fell. Spain had plenty of good chances and a couple (particularly Pique) that should have been easy goals. No luck on the shot from Alonso....it was just one of those days.

stinger wrote:

Jaime wrote:There is a lot of theories and criticisms but for me the bottom line is Xavi was very regular. If he had a good game I doubt anyone would be talking about the wingers or the fullbacks or the substitutions, etc. Also, in spite of the colossal f*ck up by Casillas, Puyol, and Pique (even though nobody will talk about anyone but Kodak) on the goal it really was quite a lucky play the way the ball fell. Spain had plenty of good chances and a couple (particularly Pique) that should have been easy goals. No luck on the shot from Alonso....it was just one of those days.

Agree, but part of the blame here has to go to del Bosque too, Xavi just isn't so valuable playing as media punta, as when he is playing as a deep lying playmaker. I don't remember him having a great games at that position, he's also not able to influence game as much, as he can do from deeper position.

Jaime wrote:

stinger wrote:

Jaime wrote:There is a lot of theories and criticisms but for me the bottom line is Xavi was very regular. If he had a good game I doubt anyone would be talking about the wingers or the fullbacks or the substitutions, etc. Also, in spite of the colossal f*ck up by Casillas, Puyol, and Pique (even though nobody will talk about anyone but Kodak) on the goal it really was quite a lucky play the way the ball fell. Spain had plenty of good chances and a couple (particularly Pique) that should have been easy goals. No luck on the shot from Alonso....it was just one of those days.

Agree, but part of the blame here has to go to del Bosque too, Xavi just isn't so valuable playing as media punta, as when he is playing as a deep lying playmaker. I don't remember him having a great games at that position, he's also not able to influence game as much, as he can do from deeper position.

But come on Xavi floats and goes wherever he wants to.

The only thing I will criticise Del Bosque for is starting both Busquets and Alonso against Switzerland. It was redundant to have them both.

stinger wrote:

Jaime wrote:

stinger wrote:

Jaime wrote:There is a lot of theories and criticisms but for me the bottom line is Xavi was very regular. If he had a good game I doubt anyone would be talking about the wingers or the fullbacks or the substitutions, etc. Also, in spite of the colossal f*ck up by Casillas, Puyol, and Pique (even though nobody will talk about anyone but Kodak) on the goal it really was quite a lucky play the way the ball fell. Spain had plenty of good chances and a couple (particularly Pique) that should have been easy goals. No luck on the shot from Alonso....it was just one of those days.

Agree, but part of the blame here has to go to del Bosque too, Xavi just isn't so valuable playing as media punta, as when he is playing as a deep lying playmaker. I don't remember him having a great games at that position, he's also not able to influence game as much, as he can do from deeper position.

But come on Xavi floats and goes wherever he wants to.

The only thing I will criticise Del Bosque for is starting both Busquets and Alonso against Switzerland. It was redundant to have them both.

Yeah, but when you combine your 2 points (and both are really connected to each other) than we see why del Bosque should be blamed.

World Cup 2010: Vicente Del Bosque 'Respects' Luis Aragones' Spain Criticism
The former coach feels his former team's mentality is wrong

Spain coach Vicente del Bosque has declared that he respects the opinion of predecessor Luis Aragones who said la Furia Roja's opening World Cup defeat to Switzerland was a result of over confidence.

Aragones declared that Spain lacked conviction and insisted that the favourites tag means nothing if they don't perform.

"The favourites have to prove it and until we do that we are favourites for nothing. Spain dominated, but never had the insight to manage the game physically or with a winning mentality. Spain never had the conviction of Switzerland. The problem is the team's mentality. Nobody wins a title before a game is played," Aragones is quoted as saying by AS.

In response, del Bosque said Aragones was entitled to his opinion as he stated that he will not criticise the former coach as it is not in the interests of the team.

"I have nothing to say, everyone expresses their opinions. He is a well known person in this group. He has worked with them, has achieved extraordinary success at the Euros. I can only show maximum respect their opinions," he declared.

"From me there will not be a single word on the last coach. There is not two Spain's, Luis' one and my one. There is only one Spain. I'm not here to convince anyone but to try to make things work as best as possible."

Alberto wrote:I was talking to a Catracho buddy, and he can not wait to beat España. I told him to be careful, it's gonna be really tough, but that his team has a puncher's chance to get the job done. We agreed that Honduras will beat the Swiss. So it's all about beating España for them Catrachos.

Let's see how America's #12 team fare against Europe's #1.

Vamos Honduras FFS! Kick some ass!

stinger wrote:
Love your optimism, but probably Hitzfeld will disagree. With both of you.

Alberto wrote:DO NOT MISS THE CATRACHOS PLAY TOMORROW FFS!

VAMOS HONDURAS!

Jaime wrote:

Sara Carbonero finally made Iker shave off the ridiculous beard. A good omen for tomorrow!

Pierre Littbarski wrote:

Alberto wrote:DO NOT MISS THE CATRACHOS PLAY TOMORROW FFS!

VAMOS HONDURAS!