Spain Squad

For the games against Latvia and Liechenstein.

Goalkeepers
Casillas
Reina

Defenders
Sergio Ramos
Ángel
Javi Navarro
Marchena
Puyol
Capdevila
Antonio López

Midifelders
Angulo
Xavi
Xabi Alonso
Cesc
Albelda
Iniesta
Silva
Joaquín

Forwards
Torres
Villa
Soldado

So much midfield talent...so little everywhere else.

i really hope soldado gets some pt

Nice sqaud. Would have put Albiol ahead of Navarro though. Who's Angel? That's pretty much Spain's strongest sqaud IMO with the excpetion of Albiol. Vicente & Morientes would presumably get in the sqaud as well if fit. From that sqaud, I'd pick:

-------------Casillas
Ramos--Puyol--Marchena--Capdevila
---------------Albeda--------------
Joaquin-------Iniesta-------Silva
-----------Villa------Torres

or

-------------Casillas
Ramos--Puyol--Navarro--Capdevila
----------Marchena--Albeda---------
Joaquin-------Iniesta---------Silva
--------------------Villa

Angel is Celta's right back. A godd attacking full-back, expect him to move to Sevilla if Alves goes.

Aragones will almost certainly play Xavi.

Its amazing how Silva has come on this season. He wouldn't have even been considered 12 months ago but now he is playing very well for Valencia and is a good call for a starting spot in the National team.

I actually hope Cesc doesn't play, with our luck he will only get injured.

Soldado should get 90 mins

God you lot overhype Soldado! He's good but the way you lot act you'd think he's the nest Pele!!!

Would rather see Calidad's first lineup, opposed to the second

I've never said Soldado is the next big thing. I just want him to get 90 minutes so we can see whether he can cut it at the intl level.

kas wrote:So much midfield talent...so little everywhere else.

After seeing this squad, having just seen the England one, I just may cry.

TeamSpirit™ wrote:

kas wrote:So much midfield talent...so little everywhere else.

After seeing this squad, having just seen the England one, I just may cry.

We need to work a bit better in the defense (its not bad at all though), and a new manager.
Our squad picks itself yet Van basten manages to f@ck it up. The only problem we should have are luxury problems - yet people like Sno, Heitinga and Slory get in the squad.

Spain definately will miss Luis Garcia.

Luis wrote:Spain definately will miss Luis Garcia.

A sgood as Garcia is, they won't miss him - on his positino thay have plenty of quality back-up.
Its the other positions where Spain is lacking.

DD wrote:

Luis wrote:Spain definately will miss Luis Garcia.

A sgood as Garcia is, they won't miss him - on his positino thay have plenty of quality back-up.
Its the other positions where Spain is lacking.

Garcia>>>All though

Tweedle wrote:God you lot overhype Soldado! He's good but the way you lot act you'd think he's the nest Pele!!!

Would rather see Calidad's first lineup, opposed to the second

when has he been overhyped? we were just stating it would be best if he plays is all. no where did we say he deserved a spot in the starting line up ahead of torres and villa

Torres injured for 2 weeks...he'll probably miss both the Spain matches and possibly Atletico's penultimate Liga match.

SOLDADO TO START or maybe a 4-5-1. im still hoping he will start

I doubt he'll start. It'll probably be a 4-3-3 with the 3 Valencia men in attack (Silva, Villa, Joaquin), and a midfield of Iniesta-Xavi-Albelda.

At least, that's what I would play considering the players' form. No telling what Aragones will actually do.

kas wrote:So much midfield talent...so little everywhere else.

I disagree. I think there's strength in depth in defense and attack as well, but the problem is that there is no chemistry between the players. Somehow players like Ramos, Puyol and Torres always pick the national team games to play their worst games of the season. Though admittedly, Torres is Cr@p on a regular basis in the league as well.

Mexicanbecks wrote:

Tweedle wrote:God you lot overhype Soldado! He's good but the way you lot act you'd think he's the nest Pele!!!

Would rather see Calidad's first lineup, opposed to the second

when has he been overhyped? we were just stating it would be best if he plays is all. no where did we say he deserved a spot in the starting line up ahead of torres and villa

Exactly. This is how most Madrid fans feel. Soldado is far from the finished product but his performances have been promising enough that we feel it's time to test him further to see what he can do. That's why it would be great if he gets enough playing time for the national team and comes back to Real Madrid next season to be Ruud's super sub.

kas wrote:I doubt he'll start. It'll probably be a 4-3-3 with the 3 Valencia men in attack (Silva, Villa, Joaquin), and a midfield of Iniesta-Xavi-Albelda.

At least, that's what I would play considering the players' form. No telling what Aragones will actually do.

According to Marca that's exactly what the lineup will be. The remainder of the team is Ramos, Puyol, Marchena, Capdevila, and Casillas.

How long before the Spain XI will vertically match a Valencia XI! Hopefully they will cruise through these two games.

Agree with Calidad who made the point that Albiol should have been picked. So what is everyones first choice midfield, would that be your three Kas, assuming that the Valencia three take up the attacking roles?

Yeah that is definitely my first choice midfield too. I think Xavi has a bit more in his game than Xabi Alonso, and playing the two of them together is not very clever.

I think I'd be tempted to go for Xavi Alonso and Cesc, with Albelda in the middle of them - that could be useful I think - although Iniesta has played fairly well internationally recently so is bound to be in Aragones's good books. We'll see what he goes with. What is important is that Spain play some good passing football that we know they capable of and more than anything: entertain, as that is what they have failed to do last few matches.

Well, the thing is, assuming Albelda or a DM is a fixture, you then need a Barcelona style midfield with one deep lying playmaker and one more direct player to support the strikers.

I think Xavi is more creative than Xabi Alonso, who's good when you want to keep possession or close down a game. And again, Iniesta is better for the attacking role than Cesc is, because he does score more goals, even though he's not that great himself. If Cesc *has* to play, I'd play him with Iniesta, but I don't think he deserves to get in ahead of the two X's.

I have to say, this is the first Aragones lineup which I think is properly balanced and has a sense of confidence about them. The only minor changes I would make are Albiol (I agree with you guys, he's ready, and def. deserves a chance in "easy" games like these) for Marchena, and someone for Capdevila, though there's not many options there.

Yeh it looks a handy squad on paper - but it is Spain - lets see how they perform first. I am still so disappointed by the no show at the world cup against France after such a positive start in the group stages. Still picking up the pieces in a way....although - I don't really think that Spain will challenge next summer with Aragones still at the helm.

Capdevila has faded as the season has gone on - as has Depor I suppose. Have no idea who I'd go for over him though.

The problem recently has been lots of great passing moves, but a lack of that final killer ball. Kind of like Liverpool, Inter pre-Ibrahimovic, etc. - the team just lacked that one player who could provide a spark out of nothing. A Ronaldinho.

But with Silva, Joaquin, and Iniesta all starting together, I think there will be much more penetration from Spain.

You are right, especially with Joaquin and Silva's club form, has been awesome of late.

I'm predicting Joaquin to light up La Liga next term I think....so international form could go hand in hand.