Spain vs Croatia

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Hello and welcome to the latest edition of our newsletter! In this issue, we focus on the following game analysis:

1. ⚽Spain vs Croatia

⚽Spain vs Croatia

With a convincing 3-0 victory over Croatia, Spain has made a strong statement at the European Championship. Before the match, it was unclear what to expect from the newly reformed Spanish team. While it is important not to overestimate this initial success, it is worth taking a closer look at Spain's adapted style of play.

The Spanish team today presents itself differently than in previous years when the starting lineup was almost exclusively composed of Barça players and stood out for its dominating presence. The current squad is more diverse and brings new characteristics to the table. The Spaniards are still technically brilliant, but now they combine their possession game with more depth and direct attacks, thanks to fast and skillful players like Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams. This makes their play more unpredictable than in past years.

Analysis of the Match Against Croatia:

Spain primarily operated in a 4-3-3 system when in possession, with Rodri as the classic defensive midfielder and Pedri and Ruiz as central midfielders. Since the strengths of the Spanish wingers lie on the flanks, the fullbacks rarely pushed forward. This meant that Williams or Yamal seldom needed to occupy the half-spaces, as the strategy was to keep them playing wide.

Occasionally, Spain shifted to a 3-2-5 formation while in possession, with Cucurella pushing further forward and Williams moving into the half-space.

Interestingly, Rodri usually occupied the defensive midfield position alone, which is unusual as many teams today prefer a double pivot in possession. Coach Luis de la Fuente aligns the formation with his team’s strengths rather than following trends. Pedri and Ruiz take on more offensive roles, dynamically moving in the spaces between the lines, while the wingers maximize their strengths on the flanks.

In several instances, it was evident how efficiently Spain played the ball into crucial areas. Whenever Modric or another Croatian midfielder left their position to apply pressure, Spain smartly exploited the vacated space. Modric was primarily responsible for marking Fabian Ruiz, who cleverly moved out wide, creating space for Williams.

Tactical Approach During Goal Kicks:

During Spain's goal kicks, an intriguing tactical variation was observed. The team positioned itself in a 4-3-3 formation, with Morata leaving the center to join Williams or Yamal closely. This movement created significant space in the center, which Unai Simon or the center-backs often exploited. Morata, Yamal, or Williams then used this free space to receive the ball and initiate an attack.

Depth in Play:

Compared to previous years, Spain's play had been very predictable and lacked depth. However, this has changed significantly with Williams and Yamal. Nico Williams, in particular, frequently sought depth in this match, fully utilizing his speed. Even when he wasn't directly involved, his runs created space behind the defense, making Spain's play more variable than in past years.

Defensive Efforts:

Spain displayed particularly aggressive pressing, especially after Croatian goal kicks. They held a high line and applied early pressure on Croatia, which proved effective, especially in the first half, resulting in numerous turnovers in the Croatian half.

Overall, the Spanish defense performed exceptionally well, especially in the first half, restricting Croatia's opportunities for numerical superiority. Spain effectively blended zonal marking with tight man-to-man coverage, winning numerous individual battles. When Croatia managed to bypass Spain's high press, Spain quickly organized into a 4-4-2 or 4-4-1-1 formation.

Conclusion:

The "new" Spain appears more direct and quicker in their play. The team boasts a good blend of young talent and experienced players. The wing positions create havoc and open up spaces in the center, where Spain has outstanding individual talents. The upcoming match against Italy promises to be thrilling, and it will be interesting to see what tactical adjustments Coach de la Fuente will make.

I look forward to the next game and am eager to see the continued development of this promising Spanish team.

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