Re: Ned vs Chile, Australia vs Spain Cameroon vs Brazil, Croatia vs Mehico
And he’s played Mata who’s scored as well.
For Spain Xavi, Casillas etc are undroppable just like India would never drop Tendulkar. Spain and Barca have the same players who play the same system but both have struggled because the way they play football can’t be sustained using older players who can’t run around anymore.
Spain last WC had Xavi Iniesta Alonso and Fabregas in midfield and Villa up front but all of them younger and at the peak of their football. Villa moves around so at times they had no striker and it seemed that is their best formation. 4-6-0 essentially with no striker and Villa as a luxury attacking midfielder who would drift in.
Now they have the same players but all older and fading fast, don’t have the legs to run around all game and with Costa are not used to playing with a striker. The consequence? Spain played crap, created pretty much zero chances, hence the entire system failed. Midfield was too crap and everytime they lost the ball the opposing team went forward and scored.
Silva plays for City and is very good for them but doesn’t work on the big stage.
They played better today due to a change in tactics but also Australia’s defence is probably the poorest in the WC which helps a lot.
^You are right. But stil i think villa can score goals against sides like netherland and chilli. It was painful to watch these players for the last time as many will be retired before next world cup. Infact goldent football generation of spain comes to an end.