by Bad Bob » Wed Jun 14, 2006 5:27 pm
A very strong performance from Spain. They were very solid at the back, Xabi, Xavi and Senna simply bossed the midfield and they had great movement up front from Villa, Torres and Garcia.
As John Craig noted, Spain deployed their fullbacks to good effect down the flanks (especially Ramos, although Del Horno's substitute had a very solid game as well). This allowed Xavi and especially Garcia to tuck in nicely and cause plenty of problems in the centre of the park. I think it was the same sort of game plan as Brasil employs, except that Puyol and Pablo were more solid today than Lucio and Juan were yesterday and I rate the Alonso/Senna midfield pairing over Emerson and Ze Roberto. Not saying Brasil won't turn it up several notches as the tournament goes on, mind (and Spain may of course trip themselves up!)...but it just seemed like a system that allows for a lot of creativity for both sides, with fullbacks providing width and the "wide midfielders" (Ronaldinho/Kaka, Garcia/Xavi) dinking infield, switching flanks, popping up all over the park and basically being a nightmare to mark.
I thought Alonso had a rather understated game (good but understated), primarily because Xavi seemed to be on the ball more and Senna got forward more often. In a sense, Alonso didn't have a whole lot to do, as Ukraine's midfield simply did not come to grips with the game (heat?). His goal was nicely taken, though.
Little Luis was very lively up front and played some nice stuff in and around the box--particularly the final ball that Villa should have buried for his hat trick. He also managed to keep possession well and track back on occasion.
Villa had a nice game. although he was a bit fortunate with both of his goals. Torres also looked lively and took his goal very well. Villa is an exciting player that I'd love to see come to us (will not happen, though). As for Torres, I'd like to see how he fairs as the tournament goes on: he certainly wasn't a world beater out there but I don't think he was poor either. Overrated, yes--untalented, no.
I also thought Senna had a very good game: had a great dip at goal in the first half and was unlucky to have a goal chalked off in the second.
As for the ref...that was never a penalty. Shocking decision and certainly killed the game as a contest. Let's hope there's some appeal mechanism for Ukraine because that was very harsh.
