WC-MOTD2
Day 2:-
Spain vs. Netherlands:-
If there was ever a need in the near future to define “implosion” for world-class football teams, one need not look further than today’s match between the 2010 WC finalists.
The game began in a very cautious manner from both sides; Spain controlling the game with their possession, as expected, and the entire Netherlands squad playing behind the ball.
It didn’t take long until the Dutch gave Spain a first taste of their quick counter-attacking strategy on which coach Van Gaal has been working with his team over the last 4 weeks or so.
It was quite interesting to see how the Netherlands were adjusting smoothly to Spain’s pressure and passing rhythm; moving in lines together and shifting to the side of the ball as much as needed.
Spain were able to play more and more long balls in-behind the Dutch’s back-line; coming close more than twice and, finally, the class of Spain’s midfield finally prevailed when a Silva-Iniesta-Xavi-combo fed Costa through, which, eventually, lead to the 1-0 score-line shortly afterwards.
Towards the end of the first half, Netherlands started exerting more pressure, with their entire back-line shifting forwards; forcing 7 Spanish outfield players to remain in their final third and lose control of their possession-based game.
A quick exchange of passes in midfield, followed by an acute long through-ball from Daley Blind over Pique (who was out of position napping), saw Van Persie head to equalize and give the Dutch some much-needed confidence going into half-time.
It was a very tactically-orientated first half from both teams; but Spain were the better side all in all and should’ve been more composed at the back to hold that 1-0 lead.
It didn’t take long into the second half for Daley Blind to send another fine long through-ball behind Spain’s back-line; Pique all over the place at the time and Robben rounding him up with some great technique to give the Dutch a 2nd goal.
Spain were struggling to regain control of the game, while Holland were asserting themselves all over the pitch (we spoke about that when discussing how to beat Spain!); which saw Coach Del Bosque send Pedro on to try and widen Spain’s play.
The rest of the second half saw Spain IMPLODE and COLLAPSE at the back; Casillas, Ramos and Pique displaying probably one of THE worst performances of their careers in recent history. Holland destroyed Spain with their quick and well-executed counter-attacks to eventually make it 5-1.
It was literally a “game of two halves”; Van Gaal successfully triumphed tactically in the second half, opting to up the tempo and basically play in a very similar fashion to Bayern’s approach against Barcelona in the 2013 CL semi-final (again, we spoke about that…). Spain totally lost confidence and committed way too many errors in defense that might have JUST cost them their place in the round of 16.
Main man: Arjen Robben: He was simply brilliant throughout the entire game! A constant menace and real threat for the Netherlands going forward.
Spain vs. Netherlands:-
If there was ever a need in the near future to define “implosion” for world-class football teams, one need not look further than today’s match between the 2010 WC finalists.
The game began in a very cautious manner from both sides; Spain controlling the game with their possession, as expected, and the entire Netherlands squad playing behind the ball.
It didn’t take long until the Dutch gave Spain a first taste of their quick counter-attacking strategy on which coach Van Gaal has been working with his team over the last 4 weeks or so.
It was quite interesting to see how the Netherlands were adjusting smoothly to Spain’s pressure and passing rhythm; moving in lines together and shifting to the side of the ball as much as needed.
Spain were able to play more and more long balls in-behind the Dutch’s back-line; coming close more than twice and, finally, the class of Spain’s midfield finally prevailed when a Silva-Iniesta-Xavi-combo fed Costa through, which, eventually, lead to the 1-0 score-line shortly afterwards.
Towards the end of the first half, Netherlands started exerting more pressure, with their entire back-line shifting forwards; forcing 7 Spanish outfield players to remain in their final third and lose control of their possession-based game.
A quick exchange of passes in midfield, followed by an acute long through-ball from Daley Blind over Pique (who was out of position napping), saw Van Persie head to equalize and give the Dutch some much-needed confidence going into half-time.
It was a very tactically-orientated first half from both teams; but Spain were the better side all in all and should’ve been more composed at the back to hold that 1-0 lead.
It didn’t take long into the second half for Daley Blind to send another fine long through-ball behind Spain’s back-line; Pique all over the place at the time and Robben rounding him up with some great technique to give the Dutch a 2nd goal.
Spain were struggling to regain control of the game, while Holland were asserting themselves all over the pitch (we spoke about that when discussing how to beat Spain!); which saw Coach Del Bosque send Pedro on to try and widen Spain’s play.
The rest of the second half saw Spain IMPLODE and COLLAPSE at the back; Casillas, Ramos and Pique displaying probably one of THE worst performances of their careers in recent history. Holland destroyed Spain with their quick and well-executed counter-attacks to eventually make it 5-1.
It was literally a “game of two halves”; Van Gaal successfully triumphed tactically in the second half, opting to up the tempo and basically play in a very similar fashion to Bayern’s approach against Barcelona in the 2013 CL semi-final (again, we spoke about that…). Spain totally lost confidence and committed way too many errors in defense that might have JUST cost them their place in the round of 16.
Main man: Arjen Robben: He was simply brilliant throughout the entire game! A constant menace and real threat for the Netherlands going forward.
Ahmad Al-Omar - 13. Jun, 23:19
