Match 60 (QF) - Paraguay v Spain - Pre-Match Thread

I just hope the match doesn't end up being as boring as I fear it might. Otherwise, Spain is definitely the much better side and -- unless it has one of those days where it can't show its normal creativity or suffers from a lack of finishing touch -- it should win by 2 goals. In fact, 2:0 for Spain is my prediction.

 

No disrespect to Paraguay, they are a pretty strong team, but I do think they have been really lucky in getting so far and not thoroughly tested at all. Their only good game was the win against the Slovaks (who were very poor in that game) and the rest were an average draw with Italy and two boring 0:0 games with NZ and Japan - Paraguay luckily winning the latter on penalties.

Like I said, Paraguay have been the least impressive QF team in my eyes and it does show you that with an easy group and a bit of luck, you don't have to play that well to get far in a WC.

Ukraine, quarterfinalists four years ago, were equally mediocre if memory recalls, just had lots of things going their way.

 

Don't underestimate their tactics. Defensive football like theirs always gives a team a chance, even one with less talent, to advance. Yes, its an ugly style but it gives them a chance.

If Paraguay played Spain straight up (i.e., without Catennaccio) they would lose by 4 goals. As it is, I think Spain will be lucky to win by a goal. I think Spain will nip this one but penalties are a real possibility.

 

I really want this match to go into penalties, I really do, that way it makes this game all the more memorable and all the more exciting, two Spanish-speaking nations going at it, I love it, I really want Paraguay to beat Spain, and cause the upset, and for Paraguay to make it to the semi-finals for the first time ever in their history, VIVA PARAGUAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! VAMOS PARAGUAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Paraguay I really want them to beat the Spaniards, and to take them out, because everyone is underestimating or seems to be underestimating Paraguay as they are really underrated

 

I listened Chilavert on the radio today. I realized I don't miss the old times.

 

4 goals really? Kinda like Spain beat Honduras and Chile by 4 goals right?

If you actually watched Paraguay you would know they didn't bunker in any of the games, they played with 3 strikers for most of the tournament, that's really bunkering right?

The lack of goals where due to a weak midfield that failed to provide the strikers and due to both New Zealand and Japan playing very defensive.

 

Paraguay doesn't play catenaccio. Catenaccio means playing with a sweeper behind the defensive line, which in itself does not go forward.

Paraguay's defensive style is more based on two things:

1) Tackling style --the tackles are clean and there are always two players, one right by the marked man and one right behind the guy tackling, to recover the ball;

2) Positional man-marking, which means each man in Paraguay has one man to mark; similar to the way Portugal defended against Spain, actually.

While I expect Spain to win, I'd say the result will depend on when the goal is scored. If Spain manages to score early, I see a 2-0. If they have not scored by the 70th minute or so, chances are this goes to penalties. Paraguay is excellent in penalties.

 

The Spanish think that they are the alpha and omega in football, but la roja can play with or without catenaccio against brazil and they loose.... please don't uderestimate teams like paraguay, a great selection and they are doing a real good job in this WC

 

They can play with 10 "strikers". It makes no difference if they spend 95% of the game behind the ball. Portugal fans said the same thing. That they have attack minded players. But clearly the style is defensive and counter attacking. And my post gives them credit for playing the only style that gives them a a legit shot.

And if you watch Spain play you would know that they could easily have beaten Honduras by 4 goals. They could have if they finished their many chances (Like the missed penalty).

 

How is saying that the game might go to penalties underestimating them? And what does Brazil have to do with anything?

 

la prepotencia y la pedancia del futbol tiene apodo, la furia roja, gracias por la aclaracion.

 

Paraguay was very poor against Japan and I sensed a lack of determination and conviction to win the game in normal time. They will need to raise their game by a big margin to have a chance against Spain. The only way for Paraguay to get results is to play a very physical game and push it into overtime; hoping to wear out the Spanish and somehow manage to get a goal before PKs. Other than, it will be a 2 goal difference for Spain. 2-0 or 3-1

 

What is usually disturbing about Paraguay, is that whenever they play against teams that are weak or slightly above average top teams, as themselves, they don`t play their best games and tend to get not so good results, but when they play against top power teams, they play marvelously well, most of the time making those teams look bad. As Spain is a top power team, Spain should keep that in mind against Paraguay or the upsett is going to be huge if the final outcome doesn`t favour it. Brazil is not the opponent of this match, but in South America, its not uncommon for Paraguay to beat Brazil or Argentina at their own homes. Keep that in mind.

As for me, my favoritism is slightly for Paraguay, but if Spain wins it will also make me happy ( I have lots of friends at both sides, its hard to take a side in this situation), I don`t know who will win, but I`m sure it will be a terribly laborious game for both sides. Good luck to both

 

That is Catennaccio in the traditional sense and it no longer exists, but the modern-day Catenaccio is the brand of defensive football where 10 men remain behind the ball and then try to spring for the counter-attack, set play or penalties to score. Teams like Paraguay, Greece '04, Switzerland, Italy '06 and any team Mourinho coaches are good examples.

 

It seems that some spain's supporters assumed the already defeated Paraguay

We will se

I think that Paraguay has a decent chance against Spain. They play regularly against very dominant teams like Brasil and Argentina, so they are used to play quite successfully as the underdog; giving the initiative to the opposite team, building a strong defensive scheme to frustrate enemy advances, and using effective counterattacks.

Spain on the other side hasn't impressed me so far. They have some very good players and moments of brilliance, but they are far away of being a dominant team yet.

Saying that Spain should have won againts Honduras 4-0 is a bad argument. Fact is that Spain didn't and that tells a lot about its limitations and shortcomings.... shoulda, woulda, coulda

 

Paraguay, hmmmmm. I think we can pull off an upset. We play better against teams that press because they leave our talented strikers with space. This is how we managed to beat Argentina and Brazil. Our defense hasn't let us down and unless the ref (Batres) calls another phantom penalty (e.i. italy vs new zealand) I feel we can hold off the Spanish. I just have a really good feeling about this game however I don't want to get my hopes up since Spain's team is an absolute powerhouse, with that said, my prediction is: Paraguay 1 - 0 Spain.

Edit:

I also think the pressure on Spain will be a factor, they're going to want to win emphatically, because there would be nothing worse than a quarter final elimination to none other than Paraguay.

 

So I guess del Bosque still want to give Torres a last chance to show if he truly deserves the nickname 'El Nino'. I personally prefer to Llorente though. He's much more hard-working and effective.

 

For the life of me, I can't understand how Torres has not been benched already; right now he is almost useless .... Llorente is the man