Euro 2012: Spain on the brink of history

 
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By , 27 Jun 2012 Zee is a Roar Rookie

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    On the eve of a major semi final, you expect a team to be riddled with nerves, acute anxiety and fear, but in Spain’s case its become a usual expectation to be involved this late on in an international tournament.

    Spain have the best starting XI in the world, and collectively at their best, they have can dominate world football for years to come.

    So tomorrow morning, as Spain prepare to battle their Iberian rivals, a once divided nation will come together once again to urge their World and European champions onto the Olympic Stadium in Kiev on Monday Morning.

    Spain are odds on favorites, most agencies having them at $1.75. And rightly so, they have only conceded 1 goal in the tournament so far, and with Xavi and Iniesta controlling the play in the midfield with their magic passes and dummies.

    The thing that frightens me about this semi-final is that you don’t know which Portugal side will turn up. Will it be the silky attacking and midfield packing team, with charismatic captain Ronaldo running the Spanish defence wild, or will their alter ego side show up, who lack possession, play for themselves and frustrate the hell out of each other?

    For football’s sake, lets hope we see the best of both sides in an attacking, high goal scoring type of game.

    A major taking point aimed at the Spanish has been Vincente Del Bosque’s 4-6-0 formation that he has used sparingly in this competition. I like this formation as it shows off Spain’s best department – the midfield. And the reason I agree with Vincente using this, is because Spain came into this tournament without their central striker – David El Guaje Villa.

    Prior to this competition he was our go to man, with Torres out of form, and Llorente struggling with his fitness levels, 4-6-0 formation is the way to go. And Del Bosque is smart in the sense, that by starting with six midfielders he is tiring out his opposition, then come the 60th minute mark, he brings on Torres, Navas, and Pedro to expose the oppositions fatiguness and run riot in attack.

    My Spain preferred starting XI would be using the 4-6-0 formation:

    Iker Casillas

    Alvaro Arbeola – Sergio Ramos – Gerard Pique – Jordi Alba

    Xavi Hernandez – Andreas Iniesta – Xabi Alonso -
    David Silva – Cesc Fabregas – Sergio Busquets

    Subs: Reina, Albiol, Mata, Torres, Pedro, Navas.

    Bring on Torres + Pedro after 60 minutes, Navas Towards 75th Min mark.