Los jugones
Thursday, 22 November 07, 12:59 PM
Though Spain and England are two of the great under-achieving sides in world football both teams were being touted as possible European Championship winners at the start of this qualifying campaign. This lack of international success was not the only feature that these two countries shared. Earlier the debate raged on about a number of issues concerning the teams: should the respective captains, ironically Madrid team mates, play for the national team any longer? When would the two hugely unpopular managers be removed? Were the boasts of having the best players in the world playing in the best league(s) going to ring hollow? Would the teams ever find their true playing style?
Well, we know what happened with Steve MClaren's England but few would have predicted that Spain would finish top of the group after losing to Sweden and Northern Ireland away early on in the campaign. In addition, Raul has been forgotten (apart from Madrid-based newspaper, Marca) and Luis Aragones is flavour of the month.
But it is not just the fact that they have qualified but rather how they have done so. Spain are winning games and winning them well and it is down to what the Spanish media refer to as los jugones, or those who love to play - Iniesta and Xavi from Barcelona and Arsenal's Cesc Fabregas. The 4-1-4-1 system is working a treat for Aragones' men and with the calibre of David Villa and Fernando Torres up front maybe next year will finally be the year for Spain. Maybe.
There should be little change at the top of La Liga this weekend with the big teams all having winnable matches, though if you are looking for a shock then maybe Murcia can surprise Madrid. At the bottom you get the feeling that if Levante lose to second bottom Betis it will be all over for them while two former giants, Bilbao and Deportivo, play at San Mames knowing that a defeat would land them in the relegation struggle. Betis and Depor to win those games.
Malaga still lead the second division and visit Real Sociedad where I am tipping another away win for los boquerones.
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1 Comments
We have all heard that Raul, Salgado and Canizares all formed a click to overthrow Luis Aragones during the World Cup. Spain normally reaches the quarters. They only reached the knock out round at
the last WC. Luis sent his resignation after the tournament. Which the RFEF turned down. But according to the Spanish press, they gave him the freedom to pick his players. Luis took the best in form
youngsters along with those with experience and turned around the teams mentality and ability to play as a team. Raul will probably never play with the Nats again. But if they keep winning,
especially the way they beat Sweden, I really don't care. Spain still has alot to work on - especialy the mental mindset, but they qualified in style. Started slow, but make an incredible turnaround
to be at the Euros next year. They had a very difficult group too. The Danes are out. Let's see.