Phillipe Senderos will try and stop Spain: Well he did try!
Spain vs Switzerland, Group H, Durban, Wednesday, 16 June
The most anticipated team in the World Cup finally gets to come on stage. So far we have only had the Germans (you read right) who managed to combine attractive and effective football on a consistent basis throughout their first match.
The Swiss have a particular record of futility against Spain, failing to beat them on 18 attempts. To compound their problems they do not have their main goalscorer Alexander Frei and tough minded defensive midfielder Valon Behrami, last seen donning a Hammers jersey. Actually, their best player is not even a player, he is Ottmar Hitzfeld, their coach.
The Swiss have become, ahem, more well organized under Hitzfeld. If that is possible. Hitzfeld has made Gokhan Inler, who was linked to Arsenal at one time, their attacking linchpin. He is helped in midfield by the delightfully named Tranquillo Barnetta, playing down the left.
Veteran striker Blaise Nkufo headed to the Seattle Sounders after the World Cup has been FC Twente’s main marksman before Bryan Ruiz joined. He will be expected to takeover the void left by Frei.
Switzerland have to stop the marauding likes of David Silva and David Villa while fully cognizant that the hammer blow lies somewhere on the Andres Iniesta and Xavi axis. Throw Pedro into the mix and we are talking of a many headed Hydra. Fernando Torres will be available to come off the bench.
If Iniesta is not fully fit, then Phillipe Senderos now at Fulham will get to meet a familiar face in Cesc Fabregas from his Arsenal days. Those two are very close friends and it was Senderos who took the young Spaniard under his wing when he first arrived in London.
We can talk about the X’s and O’s but is there anyone seriously suggesting that the Swiss can stop El Roja?
Hitzfeld says it’s a mathematical probability but this match will be more reminiscent of the opening scene of Rozencrantz And Guildenstern Are Dead, where those worthy protagonists have exhausted themselves flipping a coin in a futile attempt at getting an outcome other than heads. At one point Rosencrantz says, ” I’ve never known anything like it!” Lets hope Spain consigns Brazil 1970 to the second best World Cup squad ever!