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Euro 2008 Pre-match Analysis: Spain vs Russia Live Online

June 9, 2008

Euro 2008 - Group D: Spain v Russia
Date & Time: 18:00 CET - Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Venue: Stadion Tivoli Neu, Innsbruck

Both coaches in Luis Aragonés of perennial under achievers Spain and traditional disappointers Russia’s Guus Hiddink have both placed emphasis of their pre-match build-up to this tantalizing opener on not losing, so caution could be the order of the day in Innsbruck on Tuesday afternoon when both teams meet in their opening game of Euro 2008.

The two sides met in the opening game of Euro 2004 with the Spanish edging a very tight encounter with a solitary goal from Juan Carlos Valerón so it could take just a single effort to separate the two sides here.

For Spain the pressure is as intense as ever with all kinds of baggage being taken into a major tournament with them once again along with the high expectations of public that believes success should be theirs, but inevitably will not be because they never show up to play on occasions when it matters. The Spain’s performance has been the subject of much debate as they have been accused of passing far too much while lacking the penetration needed to be able to play a major role in the tournament this summer.

Spain has always relied on a creative midfield and a potent strike force, but even that is being criticized following Coach Luis Aragonés’ decision to leave out traditional and in form striker Raul and the erroneous tactic of benching their brightest young player in Arsenal’s Cesc Fabregas. While the media revel in highlighting and dissecting Spain’s mistakes, all this may well be creating something of a siege mentality within the camp because all the players are certainly singing from the same songsheet in front of the media.

In the game against the United States and Peru recently, the team looked like a unit but lacked the finishing touch and experience needed to stamp their class on the game which needless to say has always been their problem. Coach Aragonés will be looking to resolve this issue ahead of their opener.When a free-scoring striker at club level like Fernando Torres claims that the system is hampering him, then maybe it is time to consider a change.

Defensive Challenge

Against Russia, the Spanish will come up against a team that will defend in numbers and pose the kind of problem that has caused them so many problems throughout the qualifying period.
Guus Hiddink has unashamedly seen his side through to Austria and Switzerland utilising the counter-attacking system as well as being able to rely on England to fall at every hurdle to let them through.

After missing out on the World Cup Finals two years ago, the Russians have gone back to the drawing board under their Dutch coach and introduced quite a few young, hungry players to lift them back to the top. Players such as Igor Akinfeev are one such example, with Vyacheslav Malafeev and Vladimir Gabulov more than capable back-ups, while Aleksandr Anyukovand and Denis Kolodin are outstanding at the back.

The former Valencia, Real Madrid and Real Betis boss switches between 3-5-2 and 4-4-2 effecitvely and that has turned his current side into a very solid unit that conceded just seven goals in the entire qualification campaign. Diniyar Bilyaletdinov, Yuri Zhirkov, Vladimir Bystrov, Ivan Saenko and Dmitri Torbinskiy all offer something going forward while Igor Semshov and Konstantin Zyrianov add to a midfield group that will give the coach plenty of options. Up front Oleg Ivanov has been called in to replace Pavel Pogrebnyak, who was forced out through injury, while Andrei Arshavinis suspended for the first two games.

The Spanish team is also facing a defensive challenge as they have been accused in the past for their inability to defend as a unit. With a poor ran in major tournaments in recent times they will be hoping to do a complete all round team performance. But they are relatively still vulnerable at the back.

History

There is not much history between the two countries with only two previous meetings since the fall of Berlin Wall, but before that the Spanish and the Soviet Union marked a memorable chapter in la Furia Roja’s past. In 1960 Spain were withdrawn from the first ever European Championships tournament because Generalisimo Francisco Franco had not wanted his team to face the Soviet Union. Four years later though he knew that the groundswell of support for the Spanish team in Madrid was too big to let him prevent the team from playing in the final against the Soviets.
Chus Pereda gave the home nation the lead early, but just two minutes later Galimzian Khusainov equalised and the visitors were back in the game in front of a very nervous dictator.
It was not until the 84th minute that Marcelino finally netted to give the Spanish victory and hand them their first and, incredibly, only major tournament victory to date.

A look at the teams
Spain

Aragonés is keeping his cards very close to his chest, but reports in Spain suggest that the veteran trainer is considering pairing David Villa up front with Fernando Torres, rather than employ the conservative formation he played against the United States. In midfield, Xavi, Andrés Iniesta and Marcos Senna look set to play with David Silva just in front.

Russia

Arshavin is suspended while Pogrebnyak has been ruled out of the tournament with a knee injury meaning the Hiddink will be trying a front pair that he was not expecting to.

PREDICTION

With both coaches stating their desire not to lose, goals may be at a minimum. That having been said, Spain is far better equipped to make that breakthrough given the potency they have up front. The Spanish will have to remember not to always look for the extra pass, while the Russians must be adventurous and not sit back for the entire match as we’ve seen that Spain’s defensive unit is the weak link in what would have been a dream team.

Spain is also vulnerable on the quick counter attack and if Russia breaks quickly then it could be a repeat of history for Spain. But I have faith in Fabregas.

Spain 2- 1 Russia

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