World Cup 2014 Analysis: What Spain Needs to Do to Avoid Further Humiliation
For six years the Spanish national side set new records and made history. The team became the first ever to win three straight major championships. Spain became the first European side to win a World Cup outside Europe. The team tied the record for fewest goals allowed in a World Cup and then became the lowest scoring champion in the history of the sport.
Heading into Brazil this summer, this Spanish side stood on the threshold of becoming the first ever team to win four straight major tournaments and the first in decades to win back-to-back World Cups. But alas, in its opener, Spain made another kind of history. They lost 5-1 to Holland and endured the worst defeat ever by a World Cup champion. It also became the first Spanish side in 64 years to conceded five goals.
While the defeat is a disastrous result and puts Spain in deep peril of not advancing out of the group, there is still hope. Another piece of history that the team made in 2010 was to become the first World Cup champion to lose its first game but manage to take home the trophy. While the 1-0 loss to Switzerland four years ago was an undeserved result, the 5-1 beating by the Dutch was just. Spain must win on Wednesday against Chile in order to remain in the conversation for second place.
A win levels them with Chile on points, though a huge victory (by six goals) would be needed to overcome the aggregate. Then, a win the following Monday against Australia would be absolutely necessary for Spain to have any glimmer of hope. But even then, Spain could still theoretically fail to advance. If the Dutch lose to Chile in the final game after defeating Australia, then the three teams could theoretically wind up with six points and goal differential will come into play; that is where Spain's current -4 differential could hit them hard. Here are some things that Vicente del Bosque can do between Saturday and Wednesday's decisive game against Chile to help Spain win:
1. Change the back four
Iker Casillas is likely to stay put in goal. He is the captain and taking him out would be a bold, but massively disorienting message to send to the team. So, he stays. But the back four in front of him need an overhaul. Gerard Pique was out of form all season long for Barcelona, and his lack of sharpness was on full display on Friday. He needs to make way for Javi Martinez, who has more mobility and has been far sharper throughout the year. He was solid for Bayern Munich all year long after converting from midfield to centre-back, and he will give Sergio Ramos more stability than Pique has.
Cesar Azpilicueta was invisible for long stretches and was constantly beaten on his flank by Daley Blind. Juanfran is more mobile on the wing and would give the team more veteran experience to help defend against Chile.
2. Midfield and Forward need restructure and overhaul
The midfield is where the biggest changes are necessary. The double pivot used to provide the team with stability, but if teams are going to attack down the flanks instead of the middle, then it becomes a wasted spot on the pitch and sets Spain back. Sergio Busquets was invisible for most of the game, but he is in better shape than Xabi Alonso, who was far from his best. Xavi had a game to forget in the second half and he may be more useful coming off the bench. Andres Iniesta and David Silva were solid in the first half but went missing in the second.
Del Bosque should inject some youth into the side as well as some creative flair. Bring in Koke who is more of a direct passer and is motivated to win his first tournament. Bring on Santi Cazorla, who was easily Spain's top player in the friendlies against Bolivia and El Salvador. Keep Iniesta on (he is the team's best player) and use David Villa in place of Diego Costa. Or why not go back to the false nine setup that won the Euro 2012 and use Cesc Fabregas? A 4-3-3 formation may be the team's best option moving forward.
3. What to do with tiki taka?
It is a rather bewildering question. No one is going to change their style over the course of one week. It is simply unrealistic to expect Spain to change its style right away. Obviously Xavi is the best proponent of the style, and his absence would be a great detriment. But the reality is that Spain should play with more directness if it has any hopes of winning out. Teams will expect the slow buildup, and both Chile and Australia are likely to sit back and wait. The Chileans are likely looking for a draw so they might not be too keen on risking their shaky backline. A more direct approach by Spain could catch them off guard. The same can be said for Australia, which looked very vulnerable defending against Chile.
That does not mean that Spain should do away with its short and patient passing game. Tiki taka may no longer be dominant, but it can still be effective with a disciplined game from the defending champs. Ball possession is only effective if you have the ball. And in order to have the ball, it is essential to pressure teams into giving it up. Spain's biggest downfall since the 2012 championship came to pass (and Barcelona's for that matter) is the result of not pressing high up on the pitch to regain possession. Part of that is age and fatigue. Xavi and Iniesta are not as mobile as they were four years ago where they could fatigue other teams into giving up the ball. That is the reason for bringing in a Koke or a Cazorla. They have the freshness to execute the tactics with better results. Spain needs to get back to this intense pressing against Chile and Australia if it has any hopes of winning the rest of its group games.