The second semi-final was a much more one-sided affair than the first one, but it showed the class and the dominance of the young Spanish team led by Luis Aragones.
The manner in which they blew away the Russians was just astounding considering the way in which the Russians knocked out the Netherlands in their previous game.
That was partly due to Cesc Fabregas and Andres Iniesta’s presence in midfield. They were the creative force behind a lot of the Spain’s attacks and Fabregas in particular was in awesome form.
With David Villa now ruled out of the final, Cesc Fabregas can step up to the mantle and deliver on the big stage. He’s appeared in every single game, but only as a substitute—I’m not too sure that he’s going to complain today, now that he’s the one most likely to start in Villa’s place.
That makes five players in the Spanish midfield against (most probably) four in the German midfield—thereby leaving one midfielder very difficult to pick up for the Germans.
That man should be Cesc Fabregas.
He is peaking at the right time. The penalty that he scored against the Italians in the shootout must have done him a world of good because he looks like a player who wants to prove a point. Some of his passing last night was top class and I’m sure that the Spanish now see what they were missing all tournament long.
Fernando Torres said before the start of the tournament that he hoped for Fabregas to start in their games because Fabregas could gauge his runs to perfection and pass the ball right to his feet. After yesterday’s performance, nobody will doubt that.
David Villa’s absence might seem like a huge loss for Spain, but upon closer inspection, Fabregas and Torres can form a very similar partnership to that of the latter and Steven Gerrard’s partnership at Liverpool.
Spain will be buoyed by their displays in the semi-finals, and, in Cesc Fabregas, they have a trump card—a player who could very well produce something out of nothing.
If Fabregas performs like he did last night then there’s very little that the Germans can do in the final. He’s a confident, young player with the world at his feet—and then all his detractors can finally understand that Cesc Fabregas has finally arrived at the international stage.
This article was first published on Goal.com by Shyam Parthasarathi.
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3 months ago
Cesc was absolutely sublime against the Russians. His assist on that Guiza goal (the second goal of the game, I believe) was stunning.
3 months ago
Yes...and No. He's a clever player and very dangerous if not picked up. However, the Russians have a vulnerable defence and Hiddink knows that, that's why he builds his defence on the attack.
But the Germans are the opposite of Russia, they built their attack on the defence. Against Germany, Fabregas will be playing against more defensively astute opponents but it's up to him to prove himself. Let's see what happens!
3 months ago
Keep focusing on Cesc - hopefully that's exactly what the Germans will do, too.
Nope: Marcos Senna's my Man of the Tournament. No flashy last touches and assists; instead, he pours his heart in 100% concentration, positioning and doggone determination to annihilate opportunities for his mark. Don't pay attention to him, and he'll lift up the Trophy. Iniesta, Puyol and Casillas: that's Spain's "secret" (as in: underrated) value. If they win in Vienna, it'll be more than anything thanks to that dull, invisible and relentless trio, with "San" Marcos pushing the game along.
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