In yesterday’s match Brazil ran into a North Korean roadblock which frustrated their attack in the first half.
In the second half, they were able to turn it around by releasing Maicon and Michel Bastos, and the two wingback with their speed and impeccable attacking instincts were able to make offensive inroads. Maicon’s goal, a beauty came from such a move. This despite Kaka having a sub par game.
Fast forward to today’s game. Spain met a well organized Swiss defense which it was unable to get around with their system of well organized passing dictated by Xavi’s tempo. What it needed was more of the creativity and movement down the flanks. Unfortunately, their wingbacks are nowhere in the same class as Brazil’s.
Case in point, Sergio Ramos bursting through on the right had the option to pass to his waiting team mates in the box. Instead, he chose a ill advised shot which ran wide of the goal. He showed he was no Maicon. On the other side, Joan Capdevila may have fine defensive credentials but he is no Bastos.
Spain lost because they played well within that system of rigorous short passes that breaks down defences. There maybe an overfamiliarity with the Spanish system which is ipso facto, the Barca system. What Spain needed were the opportunities to go out of that system which wingbacks like Maicon bring to the game.