Last four of EURO 2020, finalists at the 2021 Nations League, another Nations League semifinal beckons in the summer of next year. Luis Enrique has revitalized Spain as a beacon of stability. Yet, in the making of that consistency are flaws that have capped their ceiling too. This preview sharpens the lens on one big […]
Giving up the high ground to their neighbors before the kickoff, Spain knew the imperative laid with them to force the issue. Still struggling to make the most of their dominance of the ball and the territory throughout the match, their growing enterprise paved the way to a dramatic finale. Tactical analysis and match report […]
Few can rival Spain’s strength at retaining the ball, but this clash demonstrates why this trait alone has not assured success. Control counts for little if one lacks efficiency in the boxes. These fragilities made an untimely return, complicating the hosts’ route to the Nations League final. Tactical analysis and match report by Emmanuel Adeyemi-Abere. […]
This Nations League fixture gave both countries a prospect of turning around the fortunes of their campaign. The Swiss gambled on a familiar chink in the Spanish armor to hold onto their stake in this duel, but their improvement after the break could not make up for a fatal deficit. Tactical analysis and match report […]
How do you crack a disciplined, determined 4-4-2 block? In the ultimate form of attack versus defense, Sweden forced Spain to grapple with this task once more. What followed was a low scoring but intriguing affair between two of the most organized outfits on the national circuit, setting the stage for a divisive figure to […]
The road to qualification prioritizes results over performances: a stumbling block for Spain in the past. But the visitors rose to the task that awaited them. Breaking down a deep 5-4-1 block, they held onto the win, setting up a tense duel with Sweden where everything is on the line. Tactical analysis and match report […]
Italy edged past their visitors the last time the two outfits met but were not so fortunate this time around. Thanks to a twist on an old ploy and an aggressive high press, Spain proved that there are chinks in Italy’s armor after all. Tactical analysis and match report by Emmanuel Adeyemi-Abere. In a game […]
Failing to break down Sweden at the EUROs, Spain hoped to make amends this time around. But a quick start proved to be false hope. Frail at the back and impotent upfront, a familiarly flawed display handed the home team a window of opportunity that they could hardly refuse. Tactical analysis and match report by […]
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 […]