Euro 2012: Spain-Croatia 18 June (R)

We don't need to replicate Barcelona's system.
First, it's not working that well, specially without a Messi of our own.
Second, this is not 2008 or 2010: Xavi and Busquets and out of form while Alonso is, while not spectacular, in form; he also gives us the ability to do something different that we sorely need. Third, we have the players to try something different, like Navas, Llorente or Cazorla.
Fourth: tiki-taka is becoming a parody of itself. No system lasts more than 4 yars in football without starting to become obsolete. As I said before, it's 2012 and we may still win it because of sheer talent, but I don't buy this "Spain has found their style and has to stick with it" bullshit.

(Accusations of bias: what I can't agree with, ever, is the idea that Xabi Alonso has no place in this team, as if he were a rubbish player)

(*): BTW, I agree 100% we played well against Korea and that an Alonso-Beñat-Cazorla midfield looked great. What I don't know is what was "English" in that lineup. Unless the word has become a synonime of "not sluggish football".
I also agree with posters that say that Cesc would play better in Xavi's position, and I think that Cazorla would, too.
If Del Bosque wants to be defensive to prevent counters, a 4-2-3-1 with both Busquets and Alonso could work, just with a different AM, Navas on the pitch and a proper striker; or even a 4-4-2 with two strikers, maybe Torres+Llorente (or Adrián if he were in Poland).

I agree to an extent that Spain should try some new tactics but with Del Bosque that will never happen.

It seems at times players just want to pass the ball into the net..

It wasn't until navas came on, that threats from the wing were coming in.
Drives or balls into the box..

Plus why not shoot more around the box, you never know what may come of it..

But overall very close and nerve racking game.. Plus the clear cut chances Croatia had, I thought for sure that would've went in. But as usual casilla saves the day..

Croatia 0-1 Spain

0-1 : Navas 88'

Casillas
Arbeloa ... Piqué ... S.Ramos ... Alba
Xavi ... Busquets ... X.Alpnso
Silva ... Torres ... Iniesta

61' Navas for Torres
73' Fábregas for Silva
89' Negredo for Xavi

-No bookings-

Silva, Cesc, Cazorla, choose your pick...any would look better in the AM position.

I would prefer Iniesta-Silva/Cesc-Navas behind an actual striker

What's our coaches doing up there

I swear loew is obsessed with Spain...

It's his eternal bane

Hmm. I see Del Bosques plan now. Make the team look like crap and play sterile but do just enough to get by. Then when they are in the final he unleashes the power for the spanish furia and make Germany's scouting look foolish.

I know you are halfway kidding, but I hope you are right. Although I doubt it.

I would much rather see Xabi Alonso play a solitary, Senna-like role in the deep midfield. Losing Busquets would affect the initial transition from defense to Xavi/Iniesta slightly, but what you would get in return is Cesq being placed in the CAM position to really pierce the defense and feed the striker (preferably Llorente) and the other midfielders as he always does.

In addition, I think having Juanfran coming from the flanks with pace would add an additional layer of athleticism and potency to the game.

The prospects of these suggestions are undeniably going to make La Roja much more dangerous. Yes, there will be a bit more open play at the defensive side, but this would undeniably result in more goals and possession for us. VDB has to know that.

To be fair, that's pretty much what happened in the World Cup, whether it was on purpose or not I don't know.

Well judging from the comments of Del Bosque, don't expect anything different for any games that we play.

Spain had a history of owning group stages and then playing tight in the elimination rounds afterwards. Maybe playing tight and below their best in group stages loosens the team up in the elimination rounds because of the "dodged a bullet" mentality.

There are 47,190,492 'seleccionadores' in Spain and the only one who isn't happens to be the person who is in charge of the national team.