WORLD CUP 2006
Spain Tactics
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As ever, Spain’s game will be based on possession and patience, but Luis Aragones has yet to settle on a final starting XI or even a formation. The excellent form of David Villa and Fernando Torres, plus the dire form of captain Raul, gives the coach a selection headache up front.
Aragones seems to want to play Raul, even if it means switching to a 4-3-3 to accommodate him. That change would cost Spain the width provided by Joaquin and Jose Antonio Reyes (or Vicente if he is fit in time). The coach may ultimately choose to start with Raul and Torres, leaving Villa in reserve.
The defence is settled. Iker Casillas will be in goal, despite the challenge of in-form Santiago Canizares. The back four will comprise Sergio Ramos (or possibly Michel Salgado) at right-back, Carles Puyol and Pablo in the centre, and Antonio Lopez on the left.
The shape of the midfield depends on what happens up front. In a 4-4-2, there would be two wide men (Reyes and Joaquin), with two in the centre (Xavi, if fit, as the creative fulcrum, plus Marcos Senna or David Albelda as a competitive holding player, or Xabi Alonso as a deep-lying ball player). A three-man central midfield is likely to be made up of Xavi, Alonso and Senna. Nonetheless, the claim of Cesc Fabregas builds by the day. If Xavi is not fit, the Arsenal midfielder will slot in easily.
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