Match 16: Spain-Switzerland (16 June) Match Thread [R]

Probably a good match because it's played on sea-level.

 

Aupa La Furia!

 

Just hope for a Spanish goal in the first 10', otherwise Hitzfeld is going for the draw. Switzerland kicks off with a point and they're going to do everything they can to keep it.

 

In the pre-match thread somebody said this. Can't quote it appropriately, but my response is...

"De Madrid al cielo".

Which basically means that the last stop before heaven is Madrid.

 

06' 0-0 Spain keeps possession, and probes from midfield in. Switzerland defends solidly, and keeps about 9 guys back. Didn't see that coming

 

What other starting elevens wouldn't feature Fabergas or Torres?

 

09' 0-0 Switzerland pushes up the mid-right, forces a right corner! Headed clear ...

10' 0-0 Spain breaks the other way, ahead to the LW at 45m wide left, who's beaten the trap just past midfield! Switzerland recovers well but never stops ball, but Spain's final touch at 8m box left is just a bit too hard, and #1 Diego Benaglio slides out to 6-top (Spain's) left and collects off a red foot. Jabulani!

 

80% - 20% possession so far.

 

I wish we had a proper bench like Spain. Torres on the bench!

*green with envy*

 

Yet another team playing catenaccio Inter style. I hope everyone who supported that BS this year is happy.

 

Switzerland is certainly doing their best to make this boring.

 

Ramos puts one wide right.

Should have crossed.

 

Remember the Ukraine-Switzerland game in 2006?

No? You're lucky.

 

15' 0-0 #21 David Silva shields ball at 13m just inside box left, does some cut-backs, and tangles his feet up just as #4 Philippe Senderos toe-touches his ankle. Silva drops to his knees, ball squirts away to left touch, and Switzerland gathers it. No call. Silva managed to hook his right foot over his left heel and pull. Like he tried to do a rambona and got the pretzel fail mode

ESPN scoreboard stat: possession ESP 80% - 20% SUI

 

----- Llorente -- Torres -----
-- Pedro ----------- Navas --
------- Mata -- Cesc -------
- Busquets -- Javi Martínez -
Albiol -- Marchena -- Arbeloa
------- Valdés/Reina -------

formation

 

That is unfair to Inter. They only played ultra defensive one time, when they were down to ten men in Barcelona. And what choice did they have? Inter were disciplined and looked to counter, especially when they had a lead. Switzerland isn't looking to attack at all.

 

Just wait till we get to the knockout stage. 1/3rd of the matches will end in penalty shoutouts.

Suprisingly empty stadium for the tournament favorites.

 

The match where Switzerland missed every single PK?

 

Oh God, I remember watching that in a bar in Cologne. The only part that was interesting was the drunk moron in the bar who kept hitting on my wife until I threatened to beat the crap out of him.

 

Inter were the first team to make Catenaccio famous. I'm not just talking about this year.

Last season though they did play ultra defensive versus Chelsea too.

 

It's only a matter of time before Spain breaks down this defense.