2010 FIFA World Cup: Cowardly Spain Crumble

When Marca first reported Spain's starting line-up, I was mystified that manager Vicente del Bosque would employ two holding midfielders against one of the most defensive teams in the competition, Switzerland. 

Instead, Del Bosque should have either played two up front with Fernando Torres coming in, or playing a true winger such as Jesus Navas and dropping Andres Iniesta into the midfield. 

Making Del Bosque's selections even more baffling was the inclusion of Sergio Busquets as the second holding midfielder. 

Throughout the season with Barcelona, Busquets has failed to impress, yet he seemed to find himself in the line up time and time again over the much more talented Yaya Toure. 

Pep Guardiola's insistence on Busquets ultimately cost his team in a 3-1 defeat to Inter in the San Siro when the Catalan failed to grab hold of the midfield or erase Inter's rapid counter attack.

Now, another coach has selected Busquets despite logic telling him to play to attack against a side that did not give up a single goal in the World Cup four years ago. 

Although Spain did create chances, David Villa was too isolated up front and with out midfielders to arrive from deep, as Busquets, Xabi Alonso, and Xavi all sit rather far back in midfield, there was no support. 

Surely Jesus Navas's speed could have unlocked the Swiss defense had he been given more than half an hour. Fernando Torres, although rather rusty, came on and looked too anxious to score and earn a spot in the line up. 

Pundits and fans alike, have been too willing to hand the trophy to Spain without actually studying the team. 

The indecisive Iker Casillas was again a liability, gifting Gelson Fernandez his winner after failing to deal with a long punt forward. 

Del Bosque will now have to go back to the drawing board. Surely he will not make the same mistake against Honduras. If he does put out the same XI, Spain could struggle to break down the minnows and find themselves eliminated.