Spain: Euro 2012 preview

Once again, Spain, La Furia Roja, enters a major tournament as the odds on favorite.  In their minds, the trophy is theirs to lose.  The Spanish have plenty working in their favor and here are the reasons why.

Unlike their competition, with the exception of the Germans who have a large Bayern Munich contingent, ninety percent of Spain’s team play for only two clubs; Barcelona and Real Madrid.  These happen to arguably be the two best teams in the world.  While the animosity between them was often blamed for the poor performance of the national
team due to a lack of chemistry and hatred for each other, this is no longer the case.  After winning Euro 2008 they buried the internal rivalry for the good of the national team.

With their ability to put club aside for the good of country, they have consistently sent out the best starting eleven in the world.  They are defending European and World Cup champions so it is pretty difficult to argue this point.  They play together incredibly well not only due to their talent, but due to their familiarity with each other from their club experience. 

The Spanish will continue to dominate ball possession as they have for the past six years.  Their control, accuracy, and vision allow them to possess the ball for long periods of time in which the opposition eventually leaves a gap or allows a man to run free.  The genius of Andres Iniesta, Cesc Fabregas, Xavi, and company see the opposition’s error before it even happens, and they will more than likely punish them for their mistake.

Defeating the Spanish is a daunting task for any team, though it is doable.  Their opponent must apply pressure and take the ball away from perhaps the best passing team in the history of international football.  In addition to taking the ball from them, they will have to keep from them in spite of the high defensive pressure that Spain applies.  Should an opponent be able to accomplish such a task they still have to find a way to beat the best keeper in the world, Real Madrid’s Saint Iker Casillas.

However, they are not a perfect team.  Although they are mostly comprised of Barcelona and Real Madrid players, the game changers of those teams are not Spanish.  Though their styles are different, Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo and Argentina’s Lionel Messi are no doubt the most important players to both squads.  While Spain possesses maestros such as Andres Iniesta and Manchester City’s David Silva, neither is a true attacking midfielder, also known as a number ten. Although they lack a true number ten, the Spanish have so much depth and quality in their midfield that they can do without one. 

One of the biggest questions surrounding the squad is the form of Chelsea striker Fernando Torres.  It was only four years ago that Torres was hailed as one of, if not, the best striker in the world.  He is blessed with size, speed, and skill.  He scored the game-winning goal at Euro 2008 and reeled off several very successful seasons at Liverpool.  After a string of injuries and a record transfer to Chelsea, Torres has struggled mightily the past two seasons.  Although he recently showed glimpses that he was going to break out of his slump, the jury is still out.  Due to the loss of their other star forward, Spain’s fortunes will heavily depend on his performance.

Unlike their previous two campaigns they will be without two of their key players. Barcelona’s David Villa will sorely be missed up top.  He always seems to score when most needed.  In addition, Barcelona’s Carlos Puyol has been Spain’s defensive stalwart and one of their strongest leaders.  At times, he even provides a bit of offensive spark such as his game-winning goal against Germany in the 2010 World Cup semi-final.  Fortunately for Spain, their coach, Vicente del Bosque should be able to cope without two of his leaders.  The one thing nobody can account for is…luck.  In addition to talent and execution, every team needs a little bit of luck along the way.  It is not always the best team that wins as shown by Chelsea’s recent victory over Bayern Munich in the UEFA Champions League Final.  Luck has been with Spain for the past six years, will it continue?

Prediction: Spain should outplay all of their opponents in the group stage.  They will dominate possession from outset until the final whistle.  Anything other than first in the group is a failure.  Regardless of which team they play in the second round they should roll through them.  Unfortunately for the Spanish, no team can win every tournament.  After consecutive championships they will fall to Germany, whether it is in the semi-final or final.  The loss of Villa and Puyol will be too much for them to overcome.

By Lorenzo Zignago