Confederations Cup 2013 Preview: Spain

Attack

The triumvirate upfront will also yield an interesting selection by del Bosque. Out wide, the first-choice players should be Iniesta and Mata, both with great seasons with their respective clubs. Jesus Navas would be the player to pose the largest threat to these two and Pedro could be a contender too. David Silva remains an option, but his season at City was quite mediocre and it is doubtful he will command a starting place. Up front, there is a direct shootout between Fernando Torres, David Villa, Roberto Soldado and to an extent, Cesc Fabregas and Pedro Rodriguez. This all rests on del Bosque as it is dependent on whether he wants an out-and-out striker – in which case, Villa would be the favourite – or a False 9, in which case Fabregas would operate there.

This is Spain’s best XI, in my opinion:

Conclusion and prediction

All in all, it is going to be extremely interesting to see how del Bosque handles this. He has essentially stuck to more or less the same players since taking over from Aragones, but with some of those players aging and with the younger players impressing and going all guns blazing, del Bosque will have to make a decision here.

Overall, this Spanish team essentially will have to begin where it left off. The team might be tinkered with and hence, there might be some different types of talent at display in the mix, but the fluid, free-flowing football with snazzy passes and high possession will most likely persevere. A major part of this squad has been present since Euro 2008 and hence, the players know each other very well and that is essential to any national team prospering on field.

The only thing Spain might have to consider is to have a solid backup Plan B, just in case their Plan A of tiki taka-inspired football is countered to a very effective extent. They were shocked by the USA last time around and must make sure that they can make the necessary changes and change their play according to the situation. Brazil and Italy will obviously be the two main threats as far as Spain are concerned, but there is no ruling out the likes of Uruguay and Japan either. Should they meet Italy again, which is quite possible, it will be interesting to see if the Azzurri have picked up any lessons from their mauling in the Euro 2012 final. It would be quite a spectacle to witness the young Brazilian side under Scolari take on this relatively much more experienced Spanish team that just seems so dangerous.

To end off, just remember that if Spain win this, they will go to Rio in a year’s time, as the holders of all the international trophies possible for them to hold.