2010 World Cup Preview: Spain

After a dominant Euro Cup 2008 showing in which they raised the cup, Spain enters the world cup having had their 35-game unbeaten streak to the Americans at the Confederations Cup only raise the same question since their last world cup finals appearance in 1982; Is this finally the year La Roja can deliver Gold?

The Spaniards enter the World Cup knowing very well that expectations are huge and anything less than Gold will be considered a failed trip to South Africa this summer. After a breeze in the World Cup qualifying rounds that saw them go undefeated in 10 games and only allowing 5 goals, Spain should expect the same results in the Hispanic group, and moving forward into the elimination rounds should be in pen already.

SCHEDULE:

Switzerland: June 16^th

Honduras: June 21^st

Chile: June 25^th

At this level, and on the biggest stage in the world, anything can and will happen just not from this group. Spain is a clear favorite to rise above all 3 teams and should have a place in the round of 16 after just 2 games. Expect all 3 games to be warm-ups for the Spaniards with the June 25^th showdown against Chile being the top game in this group, unless Spain coach Vicente Del Bosque decides to rest his men for the elimination rounds.

Switzerland is considered the pushover in the group and Spain should have no problem getting started off on the right foot; don’t be surprised if the Spaniard attack puts up half-a-dozen in the net, they are this lethal. Honduras carries a dangerous striker in Carlos Pavon, who has played alongside David Beckham in Los Angeles, and can get behind the Spaniard defense and cause some fits, but expect him to be accounted for, contained, and held scoreless by a world-class defense led by Carles Puyol, Gerard Pique and Sergio Ramos. Finally, the match against Chile should be fun entertainment. Spain, and Chile, should be qualified by then and the possible resting of players will allow both countries, Spain in particular, to showcase the very talented bench led by Daniel Guiza, David Silva and at times Cesc Fabregas.

Winning the group would mean a round-of-16 date with the 2^nd place team in group G, which includes Kaka’s Brazil and Ronaldo’s Portugal. The easy road quickly turns into an early test for the Spaniards and a match only soccer fans dream of. 

KEY PLAYERS

Spain will feature the top striker tandem in the tournament when it sends out David Villa and Fernando Torres to the pitch. Both are golden-boot candidates that can score in bunches, David Villa winning it at Euro-Cup 2008, and Fernando Torres scoring 18 goals in just 22 matches for Liverpool in this year’s Premiere League.

Following Torres on that same top scorers list is mid-fielder Cesc Fabregas of Arsenal with 15 goals in 27 games and a Premier league-leading 15 assists. Alongside Fabregas in the mid-field will be Xavi, who leads the Spanish Primera Division with 13 assists.

With these 4 at their best there is absolutely no squad in South Africa that can dominate ball possession and team skill like Spain. Add world class defenders such as Carles Puyol and Gerard Pique to the back line, Spain is full of stars from bench to striker.

The tremendous high soccer IQ, touch and feel for the game of Fabregas and Xavi simply make everyone around them that much better. They are the quarterbacks for Torres and Villa, and as the stats above indicate they throw a lot of touchdowns. Expect Fabregas and Xavi to continue bringing out the best in the men around them by setting them up in prime position to score.

STRENGHTS AND WEAKNESSES

The depth on the roster is incomparable. Aside from Fabregas and Xavi controlling the midfield, Spain also features Andres Iniesta and Xabi Alonso who are also big playmakers not only at the National level, but with their clubs Barcelona and Real Madrid, respectively.

If a change of pace is needed up top, or even on the wing, spark-plug Juan Manuel Mata will be first-off the bench. The fearless competitor is relentless when fighting 50-50 balls and should get playing time regardless of score in any match, he is just that talented.

The biggest strength is Spain’s weakness, themselves. Hitting panic mode is often the case for the Spaniards and going stagnant on offense is the result of going behind early, or losing a match they feel should have already been won.

They must understand that all 3 teams in this group will not fold down to them because they are superior and current Euro Cup champions. The Americans demonstrated that with an all-defensive mentality and quick counter-attacks Spain is vulnerable. Dominating ball possession does not show up on the score board so adjusting the game plan can become an issue. There is no doubt that Switzerland, Honduras and Chile will try and carbon copy the match the Americans gave Spain, so Spain needs to be ready for whatever is thrown at them in the first 3 games. Confidence is great going into tournament play, but coach Vicente Del Bosque will need to make sure only small doses are brought to South Africa, with results there adding to it.

IT WOULD BE A GREAT CUP IF…

Spain dominates the first 3 games convincingly. A knock-out match against Portugal or Brazil in the second round will happen. Therefore, going in with momentum, perfect confidence, and steady results in the first few games will be crucial. Although they are expected to go unbeaten in the group stage, the form in which they accomplish it will set the tone for the elimination round not only for themselves, but for their opponents as well. If somehow Brazil is waiting for them come the round-of-16, Spain’s world cup final would have come early. Winner of that match would advance to win gold, hands down.

IT WOULD BE A DISASTER IF…

Cesc Fabregas is unfit to play to his potential. A cracked bone in his fibula on March 31^st has kept the Arsenal midfielder out of action for all of April and only 37 days left to go until kick off. He was quoted stating that he would be 100% for the world cup, but what athlete would ever tell you the truth about any injury? This event only comes every 4 years and is the pinnacle for soccer stars careers so I have a hard time believing Fabregas will miss it. The question will be his health. Without the playmaking ability and impeccable distribution of the ball, Spain will need to rely heavily on the talented bench, but not having Fabregas at 100% will certainly be a disappointment.

MY PREDICTION

With all the talent and experience this roster brings to South Africa there is no question a deep run in the tournament awaits. They won the group in the group draw results back in December when they got paired with Switzerland, Honduras and Chile. Winning the group will allow Spain to avoid Brazil (favorite to win its group as well) in the 1^st elimination round, but set up a crucial and difficult matchup against Portugal nonetheless.  

Getting past Portugal will not be an easy task but definitely expected of Spain given the shaky play of Portugal leading up to the World Cup. Spain would then get Germany in the semi-finals, who they beat in the Euro Cup 2008 final, and set up a final for the ages against Brazil.

Similar styles with very similar players should make for an epic final between Spain and Brazil, but in the end Spain will prevail and the talent will just be a little better on their side. The Gold is Spain’s to lose, but it is difficult to predict any loss by Spain at the World Cup given their current form.