Del Bosque Talks Tactics prior to Spain-US Game

[Mr Martin]

http://www.fifa.com/confederationscup/news/newsid=1075808.html#del+bosque+talks+tactics

It is a bit of the usual FIFA fluff story, but I did find this quote interesting:

It all begins with the virtual disappearance of the traditional No10, the playmaker who dictated the pace of the game and linked midfield with attack. “It is a role that only a handful of players in the world can perform. The truly great midfielders operate from ‘box to box’. La Selección relies heavily on its attackers, and our solution was to select midfielders who could both defend and create openings. Luckily for us, players like Xabi Alonso, Xavi, David Silva and Andres Iniesta are among the best in the world in this role.”

Spain's coach favors box-to-box midfielders in the modern game.

[Maximum Optimal]

I always thought of Xavi as a deep-lying playmaker than a box-to-box mid. He does get forward now and then but isn't like someone like Gerrard who is always charging forward. To me this is an important distinction. Xavi kills you from a deep position with his passing and possession skills. His style means that defensive shape is maintained much more than with a player like Gerrard. The other great thing about Xavi is the intelligence of his defensive positioning. It is so good that he hardly ever has to do the lunging and silly fouling that we see from so many other players.

[cpwilson80]

Xavi reminds me most of Pirlo, though Xavi's form over the past year is unsurpassed.

Both like to be the linking player, like to play with ball at feet, can play the safe ball or medium-range pass reliably, and are dangerous on set-pieces (free kicks or corners.)

I think the Spanish system plays to Xavi's strengths better than the Italian system does to Pirlo's strengths. Also helps when you're surrounded by similarly skilled players ;)