3 Factors which have plagued the Spanish National team in the past few years

#3 Leadership on the pitch

With the retirements of Pique and Iniesta, Ramos is the sole leader of the team

Shouting and making gestures is not the only criteria to become a true leader. Rather, leadership means wresting control of the match by dictating the pace of the game from anywhere on the field.

Xavi and Andres Iniesta were flawless in doing so. Besides, Spain had players like Xabi Alonso, Cesc Fabregas and David Silva, who could alter their own positions and the length and velocity of their passes to dictate terms in the midfield.

When Ramos equalized for Spain in the second half, they needed to slow the game down and play lateral and backward passes to control the tempo of the game. Understandably, Croatia were playing with frantic pace because they had to go for a win.

Spain tried to match their pace and were thoroughly outplayed by the Croatian players. There was not a player on the pitch, who could change the course of play with intelligent passing and positioning.

Spain need to address these issues if they are to perform any better in the upcoming matches.