Despite a morale-boosting World Cup win over Honduras, Spain is still scrambling to find their best form ahead of a potential Group H decider against Chile.
Spain bounced back from a defeat to Switzerland with Monday’s 2-0 victory over Honduras but still couldn’t quite replicate the quality of soccer that led them to the European Championship two years ago.
“I get the feeling that against a stronger rival we would have been an easier opponent,” coach Vicente Del Bosque said yesterday, “and that worries me.”
PHOTO: REUTERS
Chile lead Group H with six points ahead of Friday’s match at Pretoria’s Loftus Versfeld Stadium.
Spain spent most of the game inside Honduras’ half and, despite David Villa’s double, should have scored more with Fernando Torres looking rusty in his first start back since right knee surgery.
Torres missed three chances while Villa also missed a penalty.
But most worrying is the team’s lack of pace from midfield — one of its strengths — as quick and angled passing was replaced by slow buildup.
Del Bosque left David Silva on the bench alongside Andres Iniesta and Cesc Fabregas, using Jesus Navas on the right flank with Xabi Alonso and Sergio Busquets playing as holding midfielders.
During their Euro 2008 run, Spain usually only relied on one defensive midfielder with Xavi Hernandez leading the offensive blitz.
“They are two midfielders who create play, they are the ones who start the attack. I don’t see this defensive tag we’ve been given,” Del Bosque said. “We haven’t changed anyone’s function — but not every player can play.”
Even Xavi didn’t quite look himself at Ellis Park, according to Euro 2008 coach Luis Aragones, who has been critical of Spain’s performances.
“Xavi shows such commitment to us, and he likes to do things well and in a certain way. But I don’t think there’s much difference with where he played compared to his spot with Barcelona,” Del Bosque said. “He links with Alonso and Busquets very well. I’m happy with his play.”
Iniesta did not make an appearance as Del Bosque rested the Barcelona midfielder after he hurt his right leg against the Swiss.
Villa admitted he needs to better control his temper after he slapped an opponent in the face on Monday, but escaped punishment.
Villa tangled with Emilio Izaguirre late in the first half and was lucky to stay on the pitch after striking the Honduran defender.
“It’s not something that I am proud of,” Villa said in an interview with Spanish broadcaster Canal Plus.
“They’re just instincts ... in this case I wasn’t expecting him to tread on me,” he said.
“I was merely standing there and the reaction was to stick my arm out. I’ll try in future to keep my cool,” Villa said.
Villa’s two goals took his tally for Spain to 40 in 60 matches.
Honduras coach Reinaldo Rueda conceded that their game plan was laid to waste by the Spaniards’ team play and the brilliance of individual players such as man of the match Villa.
“We faced a team who were far superior to us,” Rueda told reporters after the game.
“They surprised us with that goal, that individual move by David Villa very early on [and] I think we lacked conviction in our play to try to offset and overcome this rival.”
Rueda and his team will want to salvage some pride when they meet Switzerland on Friday.
“It’s going to be a different match, every single game is different. Switzerland are a great national squad and we have to be very strong in order to get over defeats and get a few points,” Rueda said.
Star striker David Suazo vowed to give it his all on Friday.
“There’s still hope, even if it’s minimal, and we plan to take advantage of that glimmer of hope in the final game,” he told reporters.
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