Preview; Spain Euro 2012

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Spain

Fifa Ranking

1

Manager

Vicente Del Bosque – Whoever fired him from Real Madrid in2003 made the greatest mistake for me, has won the world cup as coach and is aformer midfield for the Spanish national team

Captain

Iker Casillas – Real Madrid keeper, calm in the box and canbe relied upon when it comes to penalties. Should play the whole tournament andmaybe just stop playing for the national team when he feels he can no longer goon. Two words- World Class

Star Players

Xavi – World’s best passer for me, should be the man for theassists and don’t be shocked if he gets a few goals for himself too. Cataluñabest describes whatever else I wanted to say about him. 

Fact

Spain are the defending champions of the Euro tournamenthaving won it in 2008.

Likely Formation

4-2-3-1 which could eventually change to 4-3-3 depending oncircumstances

I realy don’t think we should speculate about who the keepershould be. Out rightly for me captain Iker Casillas for me any day with Pepe Reinaand Barcelona’s Valdes as back up. Somebody please don’t call De Gea’s namehere, he’ll have to wait for now.

The defense is missing Carlos Puyol and this shouldn’t worryDel Bosque that much. I believe he has some world class defenders who can takethat position. So here is how my backline of four would be arranged. At centraldefense I would partner Pique along Martinez taking into account Ramos andPique both love getting forward on numerous occasions. Just for over, I wouldlove to have Martinez partnering pique and Ramos moved to right back. On theleft, it’s a problem as pundits worldwide think but I think Alba has proved hecan be relied upon and should star ahead of Nacho Monreal and Arbeloa that’s isif they make the cut.

Alonso and Bosquets should take that defensive midfield rolejust right ahead of the strikers. My main concern is this lad Bosquets, I hopehe does it clean at the Euro’s; I’ve not loved his diving skills at all.

At the centre of the three man party should be Xavi, Davidsilva on the right and Iniesta the world beater on the left. Sad for me thoughis Silva’s position, so many players who can play in that position, so he’sgonna have to split time with the likes Santi Cazorla, Jesus Navas, Juan Mataand Cesc Fabregas. Each player provides a different level of attack and passingability, and uses a different style of killer passing. Another strong optiontoo would be Mata and I’m sorry if Silva struggles even an inch, he would be thefirst casualty to warm the bench after featuring in the starting lineup.

David Villa misses upfront so I think Fernando Llorente should start in thatposition. I don’t want to trust Torres though I know I have broken some Chelseahearts but that’s the name of the game. Other options for me would be Soldado,Negredo, Pedro or even Muniain depending on who’s dropped and remains in theteam. I don’t think Raul would make it though; Sorry.  

Thoughts 

Casillas and Spain can be beaten that is something all of us should not forget. England proved so in November 2011, however in a competitive contest Spain are ruthless as much as it can be. Expect them to come out all guns blazing, i know they don't want a repeat of the opening game of the World Cup in 2010. The lack of a proper front line, sorry, i mean big man who can scare the opponent in the name of Villa or an in-form Torres should be the main undoing but have in mind, the midfielders are all caopable of scoring leave alone even the defenders who can once in a while come forward. 

Away from the football, why not expect the crowd to have the names of one Rafael Nadal and Shakira baibeee. Of cause when your girl cheers you on, ask Casillas. Sapin should lead their group though, no doubt bout that.