2010 World Cup - Spain 0 Switzerland 1 - Group H

[Bulldog Force]

It's not like Spain played badly. They dominated the game, but as has been said, were aweful in the final 3rd. Villa had a quite game and Torres was quite wasteful with his chances when he came on, but at least that was understandable.

If I recall even at Euro 2008 Fabregas was a reserve most of the time.

I know Fabregas is a reserve for a few international games, but the importance of that game last night was somewhat overlooked. It's as if Spain had the game won before it even started. I hope that they give Fabregas a starting spot next time round... even though Honduras is not a big threat, you can NEVER under-estimate any team in the World Cup - that's something most people have learnt.

Call me naive, but I will say that Switzerland have booked their place in the 2nd round already.

 

[hybrid_tiger]

Spain choking as per usual in WC, except they've started early this time. :lol:

Move along, nothing to see here.

 

[Bumble]

I think that Spain and Chile will be a draw so the Swiss are looking very good to go through already..

 

[hybrid_tiger]

And all this crap about Switzerland being anti-football, boring, defensive, potentially knocking out an "entertaining" team like Spain - all a load of crap. No point having 70% possession if you do nothing with it when it counts - in front of goal.

Switzerland going out there attacking to be left exposed for a 5-0 thrashing? That's not for the good of the game. Trying to say that Switzerland's triumph was unjust is just pathetic.

Otmar Hitzfield played better chess, simple as that. It is Del Bosque's responsibility to unlock the Swiss defence no matter how saturated it was.

Spain look very predictable.

 

[Bulldog Force]

And all this crap about Switzerland being anti-football, boring, defensive, potentially knocking out an "entertaining" team like Spain - all a load of crap. No point having 70% possession if you do nothing with it when it counts - in front of goal.

Switzerland going out there attacking to be left exposed for a 5-0 thrashing? That's not for the good of the game. Trying to say that Switzerland's triumph was unjust is just pathetic.

Otmar Hitzfield played better chess, simple as that. It is Del Bosque's responsibility to unlock the Swiss defence no matter how saturated it was.

Spain look very predictable.

That is 100% correct ;-) There's no point trying to same routine over and over again and hoping for the best. You have to play every card you have and throw everything you have at the defense, all your fire power, all your energy, EVERYTHING YOU HAVE (Fabregas) and THEN be satisfied with the result if you threw everything at them and couldn't get anything in return. Obviously Switzerland were going to play a defense-based game against a powerhouse team like Spain, but they caught everyone off guard and scored a good goal. Spain have no more chances, it's simple, 2 wins to guarantee a spot. Looking forward to Switzerland-Chile... that'll be entertaining!

 

[hybrid_tiger]

I really don't know why Del Bosque started Busquets in a game like this. And then when the game was screaming out for a Fabregas rather than a Xavi or Iniesta i.e someone to break the lines and do something with a ball at his feet (not to mention an excellent goalscoring record this season and decent shot around the box), he left him on the bench.

IMO it's either Xabi Alonso or Busquets, not both. This was the advantage of Marcos Senna, freed up an offensive option and allowed play to be more direct. They really miss him and as a result they look very predictable. Spain also lack a player who will dribble past 2, 3 or 4 defenders pulling them all out of place, ala Messi.

Navas was poor too, beat his man every time, but the crossing was crap.

 

[Bumble]

Why the f**k they kept crossing through the air to two of the worst aerial strikers in world football I have no idea...

 

[fish eel]

And all this crap about Switzerland being anti-football, boring, defensive, potentially knocking out an "entertaining" team like Spain - all a load of crap. No point having 70% possession if you do nothing with it when it counts - in front of goal.

Switzerland going out there attacking to be left exposed for a 5-0 thrashing? That's not for the good of the game. Trying to say that Switzerland's triumph was unjust is just pathetic.

Otmar Hitzfield played better chess, simple as that. It is Del Bosque's responsibility to unlock the Swiss defence no matter how saturated it was.

Spain look very predictable.

One of the best tactical coaches in Europe.

He might be past it as a club coah nowdays, but I think he is ideally suited to managing a side through a tournament. He'll send them out each game with a clear plan.

 

[hybrid_tiger]

As opposed to sending them out to get embarrassed ala our very own Pim.

 

[fish eel]

As opposed to sending them out to get embarrassed ala our very own Pim.

Hitzfeld might have had a defensive plan, but it was one to give his team the best chance at getting the points.

Our plan seemed to be about giving us 'hope' we could jag a point having basically conceded we couldn't win before the match

 

[abpanther]

Yeah you can really see the difference in coaching level between how the Swiss played compared to AUstralia, even comparing them to NZ

 

[fish eel]

Yeah you can really see the difference in coaching level between how the Swiss played compared to AUstralia, even comparing them to NZ

TBH, ability wise, I reckon we're not that far behind the Swiss.

 

[Bulldog Force]

Hitzfeld might have had a defensive plan, but it was one to give his team the best chance at getting the points.

Our plan seemed to be about giving us 'hope' we could jag a point having basically conceded we couldn't win before the match

Hit the Nail on the head. That's why Kennedy, Kewell and Bresciano did not start this match. It was defense based.