Spain vs Germany

[superskully]

You can only play as well as the oppostion let you.

Spain is a far superior team than Germany.

Germany beat Australia 4-0 - Good result helped by Lucas Neill playing the germans onside at will.
Germany lost to Serbia - Werent that good.
Germany beat Ghana 1-0 - In all honesty, I thought Ghana were the better side but a good strike turned it there way.
Germany beat England 4-1 - Had some lucky decisions and scored some really good counter attacking goals. Had their tactics spot on. They didn't control the whole game like some would lead you to believe. They played good counter attacking football. They also played England who are the most overrated team on the planet.
Germany beat Argentina 4-0. Granted, a very good result. Scored early, sat back. Argentina passed and passed until Germany scored the 2nd. Argentina folded and Germany took advantage. Great result but a tactically deficient Maradone made it easier than it should have been.
Germany lost to Spain 1-0. Men against boys really...

All this revisionism about Germany is driving me crazy. They are not 1970's Brazil, like some would like you to believe. They are good young side that are more counter-attacking than attacking. They rarely control matches like Spain and Brazil do. They have a tactically astute coach who makes the best use of what they have. It seems for most people - lots of goals = great football. I completely disagree. I would rather watch Spain or earlier Brazil sides 99 times out of 100 over Germany.

Gareth Cliff who is now football expert extrordinaire (yeah right) believes that Spain worked on tactics to stop Germany. No you mong, Spain played the way they always do. Germany just couldnt find and exploit weaknesses like they did with most other teams.

Though you are right, there is a tactic that the Spanish had. They countered the germans counter attack. The germans played soccer rules you learn in school. That is make space for the player on the ball. The spanish attacked that space. They prevented the germans from passing fluidly, it was never about tackling the germans. Thats why there were so many interceptions. Also why you noticed the germans tried dribbling so much, running on the ball.
Saying that though, this is the typical manner in which they play, while i beleive the germans choked a bit.
In my opinion, the 2 best teams reached the final, and for many world cups, i have always wanted the dutch or spanish to win - cos it will be their first.

 

[Mysterio23]

Spain hasn't deserved to play in the FInal.

 

[superskully]

I wonder what happened to Villa.
Many complain about Torres leading the line, but Villa was just as bad as Torres was before.
Its my opinion that they are not bad, but rather that the spanish type of football makes the person leading the line the most difficult job.
The spanish crowd the central midfield - which also means the opposition does the same. So the forward has no space, ir crowded with defenders.
Also the reason why Pedro yesterday, and Villa and Navas before them receive so much of the ball and space. The opposition tactics is what Rafa used to win the Champions league, he pushed the opposition wide and made them put crosses in which the defenders could easily handle.

 

[AfricanTech]

and don't forget, Spain have a very good goalkeeper - not easy to get by him especially if you don't create many opportunities - and the Spanish have a good defensive pattern. The final is going to be very tactical - lot's of passing - so those of you expecting "exciting, loose soccer" are in for disappointment.

I'm looking forward to watching the chess game - not sure who to support - have enjoyed watching both so much.

 

[AfricanTech]

I wonder what happened to Villa.
Many complain about Torres leading the line, but Villa was just as bad as Torres was before.
Its my opinion that they are not bad, but rather that the spanish type of football makes the person leading the line the most difficult job.
The spanish crowd the central midfield - which also means the opposition does the same. So the forward has no space, ir crowded with defenders.
Also the reason why Pedro yesterday, and Villa and Navas before them receive so much of the ball and space. The opposition tactics is what Rafa used to win the Champions league, he pushed the opposition wide and made them put crosses in which the defenders could easily handle.

With Torres not on the field to draw the opposition, Villa had a lot less space than usual.

 

[SteveO]

ummm, the germans gave up when they walked on the field.

Well done to spain for playing a non existent german side.

either way the spanish won and they deserve it,however the dutch deserve it more hahah

 

[nasa]

ummm, the germans gave up when they walked on the field.

Well done to spain for playing a non existent german side.

either way the spanish won and they deserve it,however the dutch deserve it more hahah

Ya the german team was not the same as usual, something was off. Either way, Spain won! Well done.

Full support for Netherlands!

 

[superskully]

With Torres not on the field to draw the opposition, Villa had a lot less space than usual.

Yes, and now Villa was the one to draw away the opposition for Pedro.

 

[BTTB]

Spain played the best game and deserve to win. I'm off to look for a octopus .... may come in handy ;-)

I agree.
Haven't had Paella for a long time.

 

[Ronjay]

Spain hasn't deserved to play in the FInal.

I'm most definitely not a Spanish fan but on the night they were the better team.

 

[nivek]

Being a selfish idiot!!!!!!!!!!

I could not believe he never laid it off for torres, that kind of player should not play for any team. If there is nothing else on yea sure go wild but geezuz torres was in the clear.

TEAM PEDRO is all that matters.

I told my l'pool friend before the game to watch the Barca players, they wont pass to Torres....

If Villa was in the box, you can bet Pedro wouldve made the pass

 

[Hymn]

Ciau Alemanes! Viva Espana!

Octopus is creeping me out now, just too dang accurate.

Seeing Schweinsteiger break down after the game really made my evening. You took the cup from Argentina and now Spain took it from you.

Karma, in it's most beautiful form.

 

[nivek]

Its not Schweinsteigers fault that Argentina were shown to be the over-rated crap team that they are

 

[Hymn]

Its not Schweinsteigers fault that Argentina were shown to be the over-rated crap team that they are

let's not talk about over-rated teams after last night's performance.

 

[Mike Hoxbig]

let's not talk about over-rated teams after last night's performance.

You're right. Germany weren't rated at all prior to the start of the WC. Nobody expected them to make it is far in the first place.

 

[Cantera]

Germany gave them so much time on the ball,no pressure on thier players,spain could gently tap the ball around at the half way line with 11 germans behind the ball,dismal game by germany...the quality of passing was also poor so many interceptions,must say shweinsteiger(spelling?) and Klose had good games,the rest looked dismal...far too defensive,they just sat around waiting for the spanish to come to them by the time they had any pressure on them they were basically already in shooting range..

Good game Spain but if the final is anything like that its going ot be one hell of a crappy final...

You got it so so so wrong. People must understand that Spain FORCES you to play this way. If Germany had to come out of their half, Spain techinically superior game would have ripped them apart. There would be so much space that Spain would seriously hurt zee Germans.

I have watched Spain play a trillion times and they have always adopted this strategy. That is why teams park the bus because Spain is superior when it comes to attacking football.

No actually last night the germans let spain play their game, no closing down. No pressure on spain via attacking them.

Nothing all they did was sit back and defend. Pathetic game, one of the worst games i have watched thus far. Only brazil portual can top it as the worst world cup game.

Spain are allowed to play their game because for some reason teams are scared to attack them and would rather lose 1-0 than go for the win and get thumped 4-0 or possibly win.

1-0 or 4-0 you still lose, there is no prize for losing by 1 goal . Rather give it a go and try win than lose defending i reckon. Sad they played attacking footie through out, come up against spain and park the bus.

Nice to see 2 teams who have never won it playing in a final though.

Dude, i told you when after the Portugal game. Its not that teams give up and just defend, they dont have a choice. If you push players foward against a team like Spain, they will counter extremely hard and you will be in trouble everytime which will result in you going home with egg on your face.

I wonder what happened to Villa.
Many complain about Torres leading the line, but Villa was just as bad as Torres was before.
Its my opinion that they are not bad, but rather that the spanish type of football makes the person leading the line the most difficult job.
The spanish crowd the central midfield - which also means the opposition does the same. So the forward has no space, ir crowded with defenders.
Also the reason why Pedro yesterday, and Villa and Navas before them receive so much of the ball and space. The opposition tactics is what Rafa used to win the Champions league, he pushed the opposition wide and made them put crosses in which the defenders could easily handle.

Never ever ever compare Villa to Torres. Spain's best decision last night was to drop Torres to the bench. He has been useless this World Cup. Villa is a better striker and has ALWAYS been. Dont be fooled by Torres' EPL wonder season.

The reason why there is no space for the Spanish strikers is because 95% of teams park the bus, it has nothing to do with the style of play.

 

[killadoob]

How can you say spain dictated that germany would come out and defend? The game plan was to defend, now obviously this means spain will have the ball more than they did.

Saying spain made the germans defensive is a lie . They came out defensive and put little to no effort into closing spain down. Germany lost that match last, spain never won it if you get my meaning .

 

[Cantera]

How can you say spain dictated that germany would come out and defend? The game plan was to defend, now obviously this means spain will have the ball more than they did.

Saying spain made the germans defensive is a lie . They came out defensive and put little to no effort into closing spain down. Germany lost that match last, spain never won it if you get my meaning .

You still dont get it. Teams dont go out for 90 mins and decide, ok im going to defend for 90 mins. (well unless you are Inter Milan)

Obviously they are intent on pushing foward when they get the ball, but Spain never allowed it. They play so high up that the Germans were forced to boot the ball foward. There was very little counter attacks because of Spain's pressure and the ability to recycle the ball and push Germany back.

Do you think it is coincidence that all of Spain's opponents are forced to defend?

Dont be surprised if the Dutch are forced to play football in their own half on Sunday, but maybe you will think that the gameplan is to defend?

 

[Mike Hoxbig]

Dont be surprised if the Dutch are forced to play football in their own half on Sunday, but maybe you will think that the gameplan is to defend?

The Dutch play a similar brand to Spain, so it will be interesting. I suppose the difference is that the Dutch actually try to do something with their possession, and not wait until the 80th minute to score a goal and win the match 1-0

 

[Cantera]

The Dutch play a similar brand to Spain, so it will be interesting. I suppose the difference is that the Dutch actually try to do something with their possession, and not wait until the 80th minute to score a goal and win the match 1-0

I have never seen the Dutch play the same way Spain does. They do not play possession football.