Below Luis de la Fuente, Spain are a special beast.
The nation that got here to dominate worldwide soccer 15 years in the past with its dedication to sluggish, methodical possession soccer has not completely modified its id. That is, in any case, a aspect that performs 4-3-3, makes use of a excessive defensive position, has good ball-playing centre-backs and a sturdy holding midfielder who is sweet at distributing the ball.
However they however possess a special mentality: a willpower to get the ball ahead faster, to assault with real width, to make use of a correct centre-forward. The attackers obtained rave opinions within the group stage. The two-1 extra-time victory within the quarter-final over Germany, a gathering between the event’s finest two sides, was all concerning the central midfielders.
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Inside the primary minute, Spain had a good probability. This got here after Nico Williams, who had produced the person efficiency of the group stage within the 1-0 victory over Italy, moved inside from the left and performed the ball into the ft of centre-forward Alvaro Morata. Along with his again to objective, Morata regarded as much as discover each central midfielders, Pedri and Fabian Ruiz, operating ahead to assist him. Morata had two choices. He laid the ball again to Pedri, whose low shot was saved.
That set the tone. These gamers have been used as No 8s in Spain’s 4-3-3. Within the traditional Spain aspect that received this event in 2012 and the World Cup two years earlier than, the equivalents could be Xavi and Xabi Alonso. Technically, they performed in a 4-2-3-1, with Xavi because the No 10, and Alonso as extra of a holding midfielder. However the level stands: they wouldn’t be breaking ahead to the sting of the field to have a crack at objective inside the primary minute. Their method would have been sitting deep, guarding in opposition to counter-attacks and utilizing the ball fastidiously.
Pedri, sadly, limped off shortly after being clattered by Toni Kroos. However this labored properly for Spain. His substitute was Dani Olmo, who was magnificent within the closing group sport, a 1-0 victory over Albania with a closely rotated aspect. Contemplating that efficiency and Olmo’s versatility, he was in all probability Spain’s first reserve if Morata or both of the wingers bought injured too. However by approaching as a No 8, Spain have been much more forward-thinking.
The sample from the primary minute continued — every time one in every of Spain’s wingers dribbled ahead, Olmo and Ruiz could be transferring in direction of the field. Right here, with Lamine Yamal on the ball, and Morata having peeled to the left, Olmo briefly turns into the centre-forward, breaking into the field, whereas Ruiz was free for a cut-back, and had a good shot from the D.
But it surely was Olmo who carried Spain’s cost. And regardless of the actual fact he was a central midfielder on paper, he performed extra like a No 10 — and, at occasions, a second striker. On three events, he ran in behind and compelled Germany into determined challenges to cease him.
Right here, Morata had drifted proper and Olmo noticed a chance to interrupt into house. Morata performed the ball inside to him, Olmo’s velocity meant he bought to the ball earlier than Antonio Rudiger, and the centre-back was compelled right into a cynical problem to convey him down. Rudiger was booked, placing him out of a possible semi-final.
Right here’s an analogous incident. Olmo collected a unfastened ball contained in the centre circle, performed it proper to Morata after which charged in behind. This time, it was Jonathan Tah who sprinted throughout to make a careless last-man problem, nearly profitable the ball.
Notably, Olmo was consistently making an attempt to obtain the ball from the goalkeeper. Spain are famend for enjoying out from the again. However right here, Unai Simon went route one, with Olmo simply unable to convey the ball down — he would have been via on objective.
Right here’s Olmo performing as a goal man — one other lengthy Simon cross prompts his knockdown in direction of Williams, though the ball ran out of play.
And right here’s the third instance of a determined problem on Olmo. One other Simon lengthy ball, this time to Morata, is flicked on in direction of Olmo. Working in direction of objective, he’s hauled again by Kroos.
The positivity of the central midfielders performed a serious position within the two targets, too.
Right here’s Olmo’s opener. When Morata got here deep to hyperlink play and feed Yamal, earlier Spain sides may need discovered themselves with out anybody within the No 9 place. However this Spain do issues in another way, and with Olmo in direction of the far aspect, Ruiz was up alongside Morata, occupying Germany holding midfielder Robert Andrich as Yamal dribbles down the precise — word his head turned in direction of Ruiz, watching him carefully.
But it surely was a one-two combo. With Andrich centered on Ruiz, the opposite central midfielder, Olmo, could make a run throughout the face of them, assembly Yamal’s ball inside and guiding the ball dwelling.
After Florian Wirtz’s objective compelled additional time, Spain received it late on — once more due to their positivity.
When Olmo collected the ball on the left flank, he had left-back Marc Cucurella operating inside into the channel, and Ferran Torres sprinting inside from the other flank. Extra importantly, he had three completely different targets between the width of the posts — three substitutes. Joselu was within the center, Mikel Oyarzabal on the far publish, and Mikel Merino — enjoying the Ruiz position — going to the close to publish. They’re principally overloading Germany four-against-three within the hazard zone, and Olmo’s cross dipped completely for Merino to nod dwelling.
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De la Fuente has choice selections to make earlier than the semi-final in opposition to France, with right-back Dani Carvajal and centre-back Robin Le Normand suspended.
The coach has tried to maintain a settled XI, except his rotation in opposition to Albania when Spain have been via. Pedri’s harm might pressure him into one other change. However neither of Spain’s two goalscorers, Olmo or Merino, began this quarter-final. Spain have depth, they’ve tactical choices, they usually have targets from midfield. After overcoming the hosts, they’re certainly the group to beat.
(High picture: Olmo and Rodri have a good time their last-gasp win over Germany. Clive Mason/Getty Photographs)