Spanish Football thread

[m_vaughan]

M Vaughan what are your early impressions of Madrid's young hyped French defender Rafael Varane?

Still way too early to predict but for an 18 year old, he has looked far more matured and composed in the three games he played and also in pre-season. Was a recommendation of Zizou.

He is certainly more solid than Garay, who I thought was one of those players who can do well a mid-table club but cannot handle the pressures a team like Madrid. Garay was however good at freekicks, but I guess we have other options for that.

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Liverpoold efender Jose Enrique should play for Spain, claims Steve Clarke - News - MirrorFootball.co.uk

I think Monreal, Alba and Jose Angel are ahead of him. Arbeloa seems to be the preferred option for Del Bosque, purely because of his work-rate, but I believe Monreal is the long term solution for Spain's LB position - the bar for which was raised by Capdevila. Good thing is that Del Bosque has decided to go for the future and not stick with Capdevila, who will be 34 next year and 36 during Brazil 2014. If only he had the same logic with Puyol!!

 

[Bevab]

Who needs Garay when Real have Ronaldo to hit Free-kicks.

 

[War]

Still way too early to predict but for an 18 year old, he has looked far more matured and composed in the three games he played and also in pre-season. Was a recommendation of Zizou.

He is certainly more solid than Garay, who I thought was one of those players who can do well a mid-table club but cannot handle the pressures a team like Madrid. Garay was however good at freekicks, but I guess we have other options for that.

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I think Monreal, Alba and Jose Angel are ahead of him. Arbeloa seems to be the preferred option for Del Bosque, purely because of his work-rate, but I believe Monreal is the long term solution for Spain's LB position - the bar for which was raised by Capdevila. Good thing is that Del Bosque has decided to go for the future and not stick with Capdevila, who will be 34 next year and 36 during Brazil 2014. If only he had the same logic with Puyol!!

Fair enough on both points.

On Puyol i reckon VDB see's a role for him in EURO 2012. Probably after then he will be phased out an a new partner for Pique will be on the agenda.

 

[m_vaughan]

Very happy with Jordi Alba's performance last night. And what can I say about Silva? He's just been incredible for both club and country. Third best player in the world?

 

[JBlues08]

Malaga got thrashed 3-0 by Levante!

 

[KBC]

Madrid 4 - 0 at half time. Ronaldo's dance after his second goal will be the media spotlight and a wonderful backheel air kick to secure his hat-trick. Malaga's defence is going nuts.

 

[Dr. Pepper]

Madrid 4 - 0 at half time. Ronaldo's dance after his second goal will be the media spotlight and a wonderful backheel air kick to secure his hat-trick. Malaga's defence is going nuts.

What do you expect when you have Demichelis in there?

 

[Dr. Pepper]

Bilbao v Barca was a superb game. Bilbao defended immaculately throughout that match, the goal they conceded was so harsh on them.

 

[Haarithan]

the goal they conceded was so harsh on them.

Evens up the silly OG conceded by Barca.

 

[JBlues08]

The pitch condition was absolutely horrendous as the game went on.

 

[Auwais]

Great game, Bielsa's slowing starting to bear fruit with that ultra-aggressive pressing system he perfected at Chile.

 

[m_vaughan]

I think last night was a good example of a game where having "false 9" strikers might not be a good idea. I have said this many times now, David Silva has been Spain's best attacking player since the WC with Villa hopelessly out of form (I know he's scored in games, but he's just not the same anymore).

Partially Barcelona are to blame for Villa's performances since he has had to adapt to playing second fiddle to Messi - even when the latter hasn't been playing well.

And what is Del Bosque's obsession with Fernando Torres? I just do not understand? He continues to fail game after game, and yet he picks him ahead of Llorente, Soldado and Negredo. Infact those three players have a better goalscoring record than both Villa and Torres over the past year, Spain lacked the cutting edge last night - so VDB you really need to make some calls.

Finally bring Ramos back at RB. Mou needs to do the same at Madrid as well - he seems like a caged animal at CB - I have said this so many times and also kills one of our creative options. Arbeloa is good and hardworking but against teams that want to sit back and defend, you need creativity!

Jordi Alba had a poor game but he is a quality player. I don't rate Jose Enrique one bit - was poor at Villarreal.
Spain's record in friendlies since the WC is appauling and VDB should take some of the blame for that.

Not too worried about England's performance - they had like three shots on target and were playing this like a playoff game (albeit at home). Don't see them winning Euro 2012 or even getting to semifinals to be honest.

 

[War]

Jordi Alba had a poor game but he is a quality player. I don't rate Jose Enrique one bit - was poor at Villarreal.


Not too worried about England's performance - they had like three shots on target and were playing this like a playoff game (albeit at home). Don't see them winning Euro 2012 or even getting to semifinals to be honest.

Seems a bit harsh to write of Enrique based on his performances for Villarreal though Vaughny. Staring for Liverpool in the best league in the world stands for something.

On ENG well of course Terry, Ferdinand, Wilshire, Gerrard, Young, Rooney didn't play. The latter four being their main attacking options, so that has alot to do with them not having many shots on target.

 

[m_vaughan]

On ENG well of course Terry, Ferdinand, Wilshire, Gerrard, Young, Rooney didn't play. The latter four being their main attacking options, so that has alot to do with them not having many shots on target.

Fair enough. Those are indeed big misses especially Rooney and Gerrard. As far as defence is concerned I think Fabio Capello should pick Lescott and Jones ahead of Terry and Ferdinand. But isn't Terry the first choice captain?

 

[Dr. Pepper]

I don't remember Enrique at Villarreal but he's been superb these past two seasons. It really surprises me he doesn't get in the squad.

Lescott is England's best defender. Should definitely partner Terry.