SPAIN... EXCITING OR BORING?

One of the big talking points over the last few days has been whether or not Spain are an exciting team to watch.

When I saw Barcelona play Arsenal at the Emirates back in April, their slick passing game was indeed a joy to watch. The link up play between Xavi, Messi and co was at times breathtaking.

The Spaniards however, are slightly different. They have a slower, more patient and far less attacking style of play. Perhaps some of their slow build up and pedestrianism could actually be attributed to them lacking a Lionel Messi type player, who knows??.. But I don't feel like jumping of the edge of my seat.

Maybe if Fernando Torres was fully match fit they may well have played with a little more urgency during this competition. But their tactic has involved keeping possession, wearing the opposition down and then banking on conjuring up a goal when the opposition starts to lose concentration in the second half.

In fact, during the knockout stages, Spain have won three games 1-0 and not one goal has been scored before the hour mark. It is a tactic that is obvious, but still extremely difficult to counteract. They also have a very strong defence, which obviously helps.


So, although it is clearly effective, is Spain's style of play actually that exciting?

I witnessed Alan Hansen drawling over their performance after the Germany game. I also heard Ray Parlour and Micky Quinn on Talk Sport suggesting that you could not possibly be a football fan if you didn't find Spain’s style of play invigorating. I have to say I disagree.

Although I admire their astounding ability to keep the ball for long periods of play, there is, to some extent (Andres Iniesta apart) a sense of the ‘catenaccio’ about them, especially in the midfield.

And, while it may not mimic the standard form of 'catenaccio' synonymous with Italian teams of the 1970s and 80s, it must be noted that the phrase did originally stem from defences spraying the ball around to each other in their own half without showing any desire to win the game.
The scenario, therefore, would be that the opposition were virtually bored to death by the middle of the second half and the more negative team were able to pounce.

Is this really the style of football we want from such a talanted team? Of course Spain are not identitical because they want to win the game, but only when it suits them.

While such choice is a wonderful gift to have, I feel their midfield, on several occasions during their World Cup matches, has lacked ambition. It is not entirely dissimilar to 'catenaccio' is it?

I would personally rather watch the current German side play. They may lack the individual ability of the Spanish players but they always attack with purpose and on mass. They also have the talent to retain possession well in the middle of the field, but they certainly show a greater desire to score goals.

Scoring goals are the main objective in football isn't it? Or is it keeping possession? Football is entertainment after all.

Just imagine how good this Germany team could be come Brazil 2014? And although this young side may have been out-passed by the Spanish last Wednesday, I still consider them to be a more exciting team to watch.


Some analysts have suggested that this current Spanish side mimics the Holland teams of 1974 and 1978. But in my opinion, there are some notable differences.

Those Holland teams didn’t just inter-pass, they also interchanged. It was ‘pass and move’ football at its best and was far more fluid because they also played with width. This Spanish side do not play with as much width and do not inter-change with such velocity. It means they often remain static and they rely on their full backs for width.

Perhaps some of you are thinking that I am not pragmatic enough and that I am just too used to the English game, which despite being techincally inferior, is full of passion, speed and excitement. But despite my criticisms, I would obviously be delighted if England could have done what Spain have done in this World Cup, but it doesn't mean they are entertaining.

Or does it alter the fact that in the first half of most of their matches, the Spanish, deliberately or not, have sucked the life out of most of their games and destroyed them as spectacles.

And what makes it even more frustrating is that we know that these players are capable of so much more. Is it down to Vicente Del Bosque being afraid to lose? I can't answer that.

But did Spain really need to play both Busqets and Alonso in midfield against Paraguay? They may have won the game (quite fortunately as it happens), but not in the free scoring style we have come to expect from them in the last two years.

John Ashdown of the Guardian hit the nail on the head. He suggested that the Spanish contingent of Alonso, Xavi, Iniesta, Villa etc are so much better technically than any other side, they can just pass it side to side, very rarely lose possession and gradually wear the opposition down into a state of mental supression. And it will probably be the same story tonight.

But if Marc Van Bommel (the Holland midfielder) continues to bizarrely escape punishment for the endless fouls he commits, perhaps the Netherlands can manage to nick the ball from the Spaniards at the right times and catch them on the counter attack. And with Robin Van Persie and, particularly, Arjen Robben at their disposal, the Dutch are more than capable of causing problems for Spain's defence.

In addition to that, on the flanks, Sergio Ramos and Joan Capdevila (the full backs) are the weak links of the Spanish side. So if both Dirk Kuyt and Robben (again) can be bold and frequently put them under pressure, Spain may well be punished for their ‘Arsenal like’ over indulgence and desire to score the perfect goal. But I doubt it.

While anything is possible when you have players such as Robben and Wesley Sneijder in your side, I still predict either a 2-0 or 2-1 win for Spain.

Aside from their obvious talent, the fact that Spain have seven first team players from Barcelona is probably the clearest explanation on why they are able dominate possession so much in the first place and why they have become such a successful side.

The Spaniards will, in fact, create a record this evening for fielding the most players from one club side (Barcelona) in a World Cup final, if, as expected, Pedro starts the game in place of Torres.

This statitistic alone, surely reinforces the view that English teams should try and develop as many home grown players as they can if they want to be successful at international tournaments (boring or not). But that is can of worms waiting to be opened on another day...

For now, let's just hope I am proved wrong tonight and that it's a match to remember in Soccer City. Unfortunately for football fans around the world, I fear we will all be left feeling disappointed.


MY SOUTH AFRICA 2010 TEAM OF THE TOURNAMENT

As I believe the final will be a low scoring match with no one individual truly standing out, I will (all be it dangerously) select my team/squad of the tournament prior to the final.


Please take a look below and see if you agree...

I have selected a 4-1 3-2 formation with seven substitutes.


GK: Vincent Enymea (Nigeria)
Not a great tournament for goalkeepers, but Enymea was truly outstanding against both Argentina and Greece, despite making an error late in the latter clash. Deserves a move to a bigger club - currently at Maccabi Haifa.

RB: Philipp Lahm (Germany)
He has barely made a mistake and is a superb leader of men. A giant, both defensively and attacking wise. There is no competition as far as I’m concerned.

LB: Giovanni Van Bronkhurst (Holland)
He is 35 and his best days are well behind him. But his leadership qualities are there for all to see and his 40 yard semi final thunderbolt is worth a place in this team all on it’s own.

CB: Gerard Pique (Spain)
The former Manchester United youngster has matured into an outstanding centre back. He can tackle, is good in the air and also so calm in possession. Was superb in the semi final win over Germany.

CB: Jorge Fucile (Uruguay)
Uruguay conceded no goals in the group stages and went on to reach the semi finals. The determination and ability of this man is a major reason for this un-expected run.

DM: Bastian Schwiensteiger (Germany)
Was by far the best defensive midfielder in the competition and was truly awesome during the knockout stages. Comfortable in possession but knows exactly when to ‘sit’ or attack. Frank Lampard should learn a thing or two from the Bayern Munich man, six years his junior. Truly world class.

CM: Keisuke Honda (Japan)
The Spartak Moscow midfielder is superb in possession and is positive and dynamic going forward. He was one of the few central midfield players to truly shine. Is still only 24 and his best years are certainly ahead of him.

CM: Wesley Sneijder (Holland)
I don’t think he has been at his dynamic best during this tournament, but has scored goals when it has really mattered. He has also battled when he has needed to and at times his passing has been nothing short spectacular. What a season for him and Real Madrid are looking a little foolish.

AM: Thomas Mueller (Germany)
The best young player of the tournament and his late runs into the box have been fantastic. He looks a hell of a lot older than his age and has played like he is a seasoned international. Brilliant.

CF: Diego Forlan (Uruguay)
Runs his heart out and scores spectacular goals. Has been a breath of fresh air.

CF: David Villa (Spain)
Has been Spain's match-winner on five occassions and has kept the Spanish in the tournament single-handedly at times. He has certainly proved me wrong. Looks more dangerous when coming in off the left flank.


SUBS:

Alexis Sanchez (Chile)
Andres Iniesta (Spain)
Eduardo (Portugal)
Arjen Robben (Holland)
Bruno Alves (Portugal)
Mesut Ozil (Germany)
Kevin Prince Boateng (Ghana)