Spanish Football thread

[Dr. Pepper]

For the league title? I'm a bit skeptical about that. Barca have an immense squad of players, and so do Madrid tbf but they haven't got them working together effectively yet, but they have Mourinho. You wouldn't bet on Athletico to leapfrog these two.

 

[Bevab]

^Right, but Atletico can play better than many average teams.

 

[m_vaughan]

Atletico could be considered.

No they cannot. Even heard of a purple patch?

 

[Auwais]

The days of teams like Valencia and Deportivo pissing over the big two in the league have gone, at least for the near future.

 

[m_vaughan]

Winning start for VDB's men in the Euro qualifiers. Spain now as the defending champions ofcourse and the confidence is clearly showing. Silva proved that despite what people might say in England, he is still class, and it was also good to see Torres find back of the net.

The game was almost completely played in the Liechtenstein half (or final third rather) and had it not been for a few good saves from their goalkeeper, Spain could have won this 8-0.

Also Sergio Canales scored a fantastic goal for the U-21s against the Dutch. The best player in that game though was Diego Capel. The way he ran the entire show was brilliant to watch. World cup winners Mata and Javi Martinez were playing in this game.

 

[War]

Torres scored a brilliant chip goal.

Plus i'm not sure if people here in ENG have began to criticize Silva yet TBF. I still think he should be starting in the City XI, in place of one of the 3 DMs i,e (Toure, De Jong, Barry).

 

[War]

Mr. Vaughan what happened to Spain in Buenos Aires??

Did anyone on here see the Argentina vs Spain friendly today??

I watched the whole game basically & i must say it was one of the best games i've seen in a long time. Spain didn't play as badly as the scoreline suggest, they could have easily scored 3 goals - but Argentina where superb.

That wasn't no friendly - felt like a major championship match. This was the argentina that was missing in the WC. Maradona decision to leave home Zanetti, Cambiasso & G Milito was made to look really foolish. If they had gone to the WC, they certainly would have beaten Germany & who knows what could have happened then.

Messi was god like though. In the 63rd IIRC correctly he had a burst of acceleration that took him past 6 or 7 spanish players, then he sent in an amazing pass to Di Maria who smashed it in, only for the ref to call off-side. That run was so Maradona vs ENG 1986 like.

Pepe Reina is officially having his worst season to date. Following his early season howler for Liverpool, he had a Paul Robinson 2008 Zagred type incident in front of goal. Xavi didn't come on until the second half, they certainly missed his control & vision in that 1st half when Mascherano/Cambiasso basically outmuscled the Spanish mid-field really.


Spain's goal was tik-taka football @ its finest also. About 15-20 passes before Llorente scored. Reminded me so much of Cambiasso goal vs Serbia in the 2006 WC. Just an amazing football game.

 

[ZexyZahid]

I was zapping and suddenly I saw the Argentina vs Spain was on. The second half was about to start and the scoreline said it was 3-0. I had to see the goals on Youtube if that was true.

The first two goals were great goals and difficult to make and it tells the class of Messi and Higuain.

I saw Cambiasso and Zanetti were playing and I still feel these players should have been at the World Cup. It's a world of difference with these two players on the field.

I was zapping at a moment during the second half and went back to the match till I suddenly saw the Di Maria goal called offside. Just now I saw the set up of that goal and it was a great piece of display of Messi to set up that goal.

In the last 10 minutes of the match Spain put some pressure, but I knew Argentina wouldn't crack, although there was a save on the line (from Mascherano I believe).

Nevertheless, it was a great match. Also it's the first time Spain has lost a match, when Marchena played.

 

[Bevab]

^Marchena's record broken.:brickwall

 

[m_vaughan]

I thought Gerard Pique was incredibly poor last night. I still believe he isn't as good a defender when Puyol is not by his side. Last night against a top quality attack, he was left exposed. Marchena, Arbeloa and Monreal too din;t have particularly good games.

When Argentina went 2-0 up it was always going to be difficult and then when things couldn't get any worse, Pepe Reina happened. Upfront I thought Villa was sticking too much on the left even though there was no proper central striker playing. Fabregas isn't half as good as Xavi when it comes to the tiki-taka passing. Busi and Alonso were probably the only people who did well yesterday and Santi showed some much needed aggression in the second half.

I thought last night proved how important Ramos, Capdevila and Puyol are to the backline. Ramos and Capdevila also contributing in the attacks.

I am not sure if I've ever seen Spain concede four in a game, friendly or not. Have conceded three before, but can't quite recall more than that?

 

[Bevab]

Did Torres play?

 

[m_vaughan]

No he did not. Neither did Iker Casillas or Sergio Ramos.

 

[Bevab]

What did Spain do keeping all top-notch players on the bench? EURO 2012 qualifiers are taking time all the way till 2012.

 

[JBlues08]

Spain did concede 4 in the match but it was only a friendly match. If it was a competitive match, things would have turned out differently.

 

[War]

I thought Gerard Pique was incredibly poor last night. I still believe he isn't as good a defender when Puyol is not by his side. Last night against a top quality attack, he was left exposed. Marchena, Arbeloa and Monreal too din;t have particularly good games.

When Argentina went 2-0 up it was always going to be difficult and then when things couldn't get any worse, Pepe Reina happened. Upfront I thought Villa was sticking too much on the left even though there was no proper central striker playing. Fabregas isn't half as good as Xavi when it comes to the tiki-taka passing. Busi and Alonso were probably the only people who did well yesterday and Santi showed some much needed aggression in the second half.

I thought last night proved how important Ramos, Capdevila and Puyol are to the backline. Ramos and Capdevila also contributing in the attacks.

I am not sure if I've ever seen Spain concede four in a game, friendly or not. Have conceded three before, but can't quite recall more than that?

Good points about Pique, the defense overall & Fabregas.

Indeed for both club & country i have never seen Pique play without Uncle Carlos & he looked really poor (at United he played alongside Ferdinand). But ye usually Puyo/Ferdinandl are the defenders that stays back & Pique usually would be the one bring that ball out from defense & start attacks, Beckenbaer style. In the friendly he had to be more defensive & really looked slow.

Fabreagas yes he can't control the mid-field in with tika-taka passing. He is a Gerrard type attacking mid-fielder. The way he controls the mid-field for Arsenal is totally different to what Xavi does for Barca & Spain. Fabregas may have done better if Xavi was playing behind in the 1st half though.

Ramos & his attacking runs down the flank is key to how Spain plays & was definately missed. But i wonder the way Messi & Tevez where flying down the flanks, if Ramos really could have done those attacking runs if he played TBF. His defensive game would have been REALLY tested.