The reignition of an age-old rivalry promised a spectacle between two advocates of a new school approach. But amid over two hours of entertainment, old habits died hard. The masters gave a lecture of the highest caliber, but conceding the stylistic battle, the pretenders won the war. Tactical analysis and match report by Emmanuel Adeyemi-Abere. […]
Everyone remembers the EURO 2012 final, where the Spanish golden generation won a third trophy in a mere four years. But as one mission came to an end, another had begun. From then on, Italy swore itself to a path of vengeance. Antonio Conte would engineer a 2-0 victory four years down the line to […]
Eight minutes in, Spain looked well on their way to slide into the last four of EURO 2020. But dominance of the ball and territory alone does not win games. A familiar lack of penetration around the Swiss box and the fierceness of their opponents kept the door ajar for two hours of action, another […]
The clash of two methodical setups on a mild afternoon in Copenhagen gave the impression that Spain’s match with Croatia would be a terse affair. But, the contest could not have gone any more differently. In a matchup of needless excitement, blunders from the back and suspect game management gave way to one of the […]
Monopolization of the ball, field territory, but missed chances aplenty. For a moment, it looked as if Spain would repeat the mistakes from their two first games. This time, they took their chances better, just when they needed it the most. Stealing a march on their visitors thanks to a twist of fate, Spain cantered […]
After a goalless draw with Sweden, Spain hoped to find the last piece to the jigsaw puzzle against Poland. But the guests had several tricks to call on, and Spain’s finishing worries persisted. Both teams ended up battling to a result that only heightens the stakes of the final round of group games. Tactical analysis […]
Spain’s matchup with Sweden pitted two sides on either end of the tactical specturm. Spain notoriously thrives on the ball, while Sweden is renownedly resolute without it. In a ninety minute drill of attack versus defense, only one team looked likely to score for the most part. But in the end neither outfit could muster […]
On and off the pitch, Luis Enrique has tried to mold a systematic outfit in his tenure as Spain manager. Retaining the core of the style of years past, but still able to stand out from the crowd of his predecessors. This preview explores how this development has taken place and where the identity he […]
Two sides amid transformative phases locked horns here. Germany had no buildup answers to the Spanish man-marking press thus their attacking threat vanished as soon as their direct play was stifled. In contrast, Spain got behind the German midfield line constantly with Álvaro Morata being vital between the lines. A hattrick from the dynamic Ferran […]
With the teams lining up in systems which saw them matched up man for man when pressing, much of the first half revolved around who could get the upper hand against the man-marking of the opponent. Spain grew into the game well in this respect but were punished by Germany for not capitalising as Timo […]