Torres Silva Pedro - Xavi - Busquets - Iniesta Jordi - Piqué - Ramos - Juanfran Casillas This should be the starting line up for the Italy match. If things get complicated, Navas and Llorente come on. The line up is based on the Euro 2008 final team. This should be the line-up throughout the tournament, only change I would make as things progress is to put Cesc in when he's fully fit for Pedro. The line-up allows plenty of freedom for Silva, Iniesta and Pedro to interchange and for Xavi to hold a central role and control the rhythm of the game. Pedro's speed and goal scoring ability will also be very helpful. Too bad Xabi Alonso, Negredo and Arbeloa give fellatio to Del Bosque meaning that they will be on the pitch.
I think Xabi has been pretty good in the last appearances. And as mentioned in the game thread, Juanfran made me wish for Arbeloa. I'd like to see this happen: ................Llorente.................. Iniesta.........Xavi............Silva ........Busquets....Xabi.............. Alba....Pique.....Albiol...Ramos ....................Iker...................... Arbeloa is good defensively and makes his run-ups, however he doesn't really add anything in attack. Putting Ramos on the right would remedy that somewhat, I wouldn't be against either options though (either adding Albiol or Arbeloa) as I can see pros to both.
Looks good but I'd rather have Llorente in there to start ahead of Torres. But this is what we will probably see TorresIniesta - Xavi - SilvaXabi Alonso - BusquetsJordi Alba - Pique - Ramos - ArbeloaCasillas First issue is that we have the doble pivote, and that has been well documented around here. Second is that Xavi is wasted in the more advanced position. Generally Xabi and Xavi do not function that well together. I hate to say it but since the two D-Mid is going to be used, Cesc would be a better option in the advanced midfield role.
Meaning that my ultimate Euro starting XI (using players making up the final 23) would be: TorresCescSilva - Xavi - Busquets - IniestaJordi - Piqué - Ramos - JuanfranCasillas If only we had our full team and a manager like Pep, Aragonés (or someone with more personality than Del Bosque), then we would be going into the Euros with something like this: Villa - Silva - PedroXavi - Busquets - IniestaJordi - Piqué - Puyol - RamosCasillas We can only dream... BTW: Arbeloa is a massive no, if he was to help China any more than he did yesterday he might as well have put their kit on. Hao Junmin and Yu Hai were zooming past him as if he wasn't even there.
Guys just a heads up besides this thread there is the EURO 2012 Thread for this match at the following URL, would imagine that on that thread there will be BS folks from all over commenting on the match in case you are interested. I am not trying to push folks over to that thread but am letting you know that it is available. https://www.bigsoccer.com/community/threads/spain-vs-italy-june-10-arena-gdansk-r.1945475/ Aupa Espanha y La Furia Roja
The match will be shown live here in the US on ESPN, ESPN Deportes and streaming on ESPN3, beginning at 1130 EDT with KO at 1200 hrs. Aupa Espanha y La Furia Roja!
I'm surprised to see so many lineups w/out Xabi Alonso (maybe I'm jaded by my madridismo ). I think we'll see something like: CasillasArbeloa - Sergio Ramos - Pique - Jordi AlbaXabi Alonso - BusquetsSilva - Xavi - IniestaTorres
^^^ Everyone is resigned to the probable fact that Del Bosque will put out the lineup you have posted. Most of the lineups you see in this and other threads is what we would prefer to see.
Bingo. The only way I'm remotely okay with a double pivot is if we start with two attacking fullbacks. In that case, we end up more like this. Casillas Ramos-Busquets-Pique Juanfran-Xabi-Xavi-Alba Iniesta-Silva Torres Though I'd still rather see Llorente start and Torres come off the bench once the opposing defense is tired.
Ah bueno... ahora lo entiendo!! I am not a huge fan of the tiqui-taka. I get the technical brilliance of it, but I prefer more vertical/direct soccer. That said, I understand Del Bosque looking to field a lineup that will get the most out of this group of players ... and while I am 'meh' on the style/approach, it is hard to argue against success. The only thing left for us to do is to light candles for Torres. Who is the patron saint of scoring goals?
Rafael Moreno Aranzadi, of course. But David Villa visited the squad last Friday at Las Rozas so hopefully his presence will be enough to help Torres perform miracles.
It's a miracle in itself that Torres is even selected, so he's obviously caught some of the blessing. Championship is pretty much guaranteed. I'm not even going to watch the games anymore.
This is my favorite formation for us and I think it's the most balanced. We might come up short with goals but defensively that's a very solid line up. I wonder what our subs may look like. Cesc is probably a favorite to see a lot of time, but I wonder who else Del Bosque has for plan B?
Wednesday's evening session saw temperatures drop to 13°C. As the goalkeepers trained at one goal, the outfield players were divided into two teams and worked on the successful fluid passing that has brought success the past four years. Wearing the green vests were Alba, Albiol, Javi Martinez, Juanfran, Cesc, Busquets, Mata, Navas, Llorente and Negredo. The blue team were Piqué;, Ramos, Arbeloa, Pedro, Xabi Alonso, Cazorla, Iniesta, Xavi, Silva and Torres. The goalkeepers later joined in a short practice match and the spectators cheered every pass that was made the rest of the evening.
I know its a matter of prefrence but i don't get how people don't like Barca/spains tiqui-taka. I love to watch Barcelona/Spain play, its like watching a fast paced chess game or like a puzzle being assembled right infront of you. Watching Xavi brings me the most pleasure... I am so glad I was alive to see him play. The way he asses the situation in seconds is nothing short of brilliant. I don't get why other teams (professional players) can not string 3 passes at times especially when playing against Barca but yet Barca can string 20+. You are pro players for crying out loud, pass the fooking ball! (especially atleti, it makes me want to puke at times). If only soccer was like boxing, teams can get points for shots on goal/passing completed/possession on opponents field and if the game ends in a tie the team with most points wins. That way teams will attack more instead of parking the buss and hoping on a counter.
I've found that it often makes me endlessly frustrated when I watch other teams play. So in some ways it's ruined soccer for me.
Again, I understand the technical brilliance and as a Spaniard I celebrate what it has done for our national team. That said, I don't consider it a particularly exciting style of play I've defended him as being the most valuable player for club and country for the last four years. You can't string passes against Barca b/c they are brilliant at limiting time and space as soon as they lose the ball - few teams have the talent to play out of the back and through the midfield against that kind or pressure. I am baffled by the 'why can't more teams play like Barca' argument (I don't think that is what you are saying). That's a discussion for another day and thread. Unfortunately, stringing 20+ passes gets you nothing if you can't create chances, and more importantly, finish them. I think that is the biggest concern with our national team at the moment. I will - like always - root like crazy for Spain. But I will not cream my pants if we put together 12 straight passes in the center circle. A por ellos!!!
Yeah, I think it's just that Barcelona make it look so easy when it really isn't. To me their style is captivating and they do things that I don't see many other teams do with their passing. I do wish sometimes they could be a little more direct though, when they need a goal.
I am glad everyone is expecting germany to win it. http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/poll/2012/jun/06/euro-2012-who-will-win
Thursday began with somber news that has dominated the Spanish sports scene: The tragic and untimely death of recently named Villarreal coach Manuel Preciado. Aged 54, Preciado was a popular and much loved figure, and many of the players took to social media to express their shock and condolences. via Twitter... Álvaro Arbeloa: "I'm speechless... not long ago he came to Valdebebas and we greeted and chatted with him... What a great guy... Rest in peace Manolo" Raúl Albiol: "OMG I cannot believe the death of Manolo Preciado, I am stunned to have read it" Gerard Piqué: "A big hug to the family of Manolo Preciado. One of the greats of this sport left us. Rest in peace." Cesc Fàbregas: "I can't believe the bad news i just woke up with. Hugs for the family of Manolo Preciado. RIP my friend" Sergio Ramos: "Football is in mourning, I get up and the first thing I hear is the story of Manolo Preciado. How unfair life is that a great person is gone. Rest in peace Manolo" Juan Mata: "Bad news to start the day... I still don't believe it... A big hug to your closest people. RIP Manolo Preciado. How unfortunate!" Víctor Valdés: "I send my sincere condolences and a big hug to the family and friends Manolo Preciado. Rest in peace." via Facebook... Iker Casillas: We've lost a great man, one of the best men of football! He will always be remembered! RIP" Andres Iniesta: ."It's a sad day with the loss of Manolo Preciado, what a great guy. I hope we can dedicate many victories to him in this tournament." injured striker David Villa: "I have no words to express how I feel. He was a great friend and an amazing person. A big hug to your family. RIP Manolo Preciado." via Radio Marca, coach Vicente Del Bosque offered his eulogy: "He was a man of football who represented the best values of his profession. He was a fighter who leaves a large gap in this world." The RFEF will ask UEFA if the team can wear black armbands in Preciado's memory. If UEFA says no, the RFEF will explore other options including a moments silence.
At mid-morning Pierluigi Collina, the highly respected former referee who is now coordinator of UEFA refereeing turned up on official business as he went over the various aspects of refereeing as well as the standards and rules of promotion of 'Fair Play'. These discussion are standard conduct employed by both UEFA and FIFA before the start of major international tournaments. Afterwards, the players were video recorded and photographed by the RFEF's Carmelo Rubio to provide images for UEFA TV and uefa.com. The day's lone training session, to be held at 7:00pm local, will be behind closed doors with no media allowed. The players will observe a moment of silence in Manuel Preciado's memory before the session begins.
Hi, I'm an Italian troll....just kidding Firstly I hope Collina has warned your players not to provoke Balotelli in order to get him red carded. Obviously you are favourite to win but in football everything can happen. I'll be glad if we beat you thanks to Cassano goal, it would be a perfect revenge for him because he was called "el gordo" during his spell at Real Madrid. As for tactics and line-up, Prandelli is considering choosing a three-man defence and playing De Rossi as CB. I'm a bit worried because this formation hasn't been tested at all. Anyway the main threat for you is Pirlo. Spain is going to attack so he won't be man-to-man marked, leaving him space to assist strikers. He's one of few Italian players that could be first-starter for Spain or Brazil. Well...may the best team win.
Doesn't that mean playing to full backs as defensive wingers ? lol Also good luck to Italy, Italian people are awesome.
Prior to Thursday's closed door training session, the media were briefly allowed inside the ground to photograph the squad observing a minutes silence in the memory of Manuel Preciado. Friday's training session was conducted amidst overcast skies with a light rain falling. Llorente accidentally kicked Cesc but no harm done.