Euro 2012 Final: España vs. Italia, in Kiev, 1:45 PM CST, ESPN

Their first game wasn't completely miserable to watch, but I detect an unfortunate snoozefest.

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Based on those gifs alone... Italy wins.

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Fabregas' penalty is actually quite impressive, given the fact that that placement is 99.9999% impossible to save unless a keeper lines up out of position.

This is a battle between Xavi and Pirlo. Two of the most underrated midfielders who have become appropriately rated with changes in the game. Like I said, the team with the better DLP usually does well at these tournaments. Both are magnificent players, but I like Pirlo just a smidgen more.

I'll also give Pirlo the edge. I don't think Xavi is as effective when Xabi is on the pitch.

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I don't think Xavi is as effective when Xabi is on the pitch.

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Passes completed: 455

Passing Accuracy: 85%

I don't think he's as noticeable because he's not assisting goals to Messi, Villa, Torres, as he does for Barça/Spain usually.

He's still doing his main job, retaining/recycling possession, damn well.

Stats don't tell the story though. It's that Xavi is restricted in his vertical movement when Alonso is on the pitch, since Xavi wants to come deep to collect the ball and dictate play. He wants options in front of him to pass to, and then for them to pass back to him so he can look for holes in the D. With Alonso AND Busquets behind him, and they are always behind him, his passing options are limited, as well as his ability to move back toward his own goal. Alonso and Busquets are completely static in their horizontal movement, so the only space Xavi is offered is directly in front of them, almost always shadowed by the opposing holding player. This creates a situation where Xavi cannot dictate tempo in the way that he wants, and Spain can't play effectively through the middle. They play better when they add more width, but I think they would play much better if they paired Xavi and Iniesta together with Busquets behind, allowing for more vertical movement from their midfield three.

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Stats don't tell the story though. It's that Xavi is restricted in his vertical movement when Alonso is on the pitch, since Xavi wants to come deep to collect the ball and dictate play. He wants options in front of him to pass to, and then for them to pass back to him so he can look for holes in the D. With Alonso AND Busquets behind him, and they are always behind him, his passing options are limited, as well as his ability to move back toward his own goal. Alonso and Busquets are completely static in their horizontal movement, so the only space Xavi is offered is directly in front of them, almost always shadowed by the opposing holding player. This creates a situation where Xavi cannot dictate tempo in the way that he wants, and Spain can't play effectively through the middle. They play better when they add more width, but I think they would play much better if they paired Xavi and Iniesta together with Busquets behind, allowing for more vertical movement from their midfield three.

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all of this

Yeah I remember that thread. I also remember this one. LINK

and this one. LINK

I've been talking about Pirlo for a long time on this board. I'm glad he's finally getting the recognition he deserves.

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Stats don't tell the story though. It's that Xavi is restricted in his vertical movement when Alonso is on the pitch, since Xavi wants to come deep to collect the ball and dictate play. He wants options in front of him to pass to, and then for them to pass back to him so he can look for holes in the D. With Alonso AND Busquets behind him, and they are always behind him, his passing options are limited, as well as his ability to move back toward his own goal. Alonso and Busquets are completely static in their horizontal movement, so the only space Xavi is offered is directly in front of them, almost always shadowed by the opposing holding player. This creates a situation where Xavi cannot dictate tempo in the way that he wants, and Spain can't play effectively through the middle. They play better when they add more width, but I think they would play much better if they paired Xavi and Iniesta together with Busquets behind, allowing for more vertical movement from their midfield three.

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I agree with this wholeheartedly. Although, I think Xavi's effectiveness would still be aided if Spain employed a true forward-moving striker instead of Fabregas. Cesc is far less likely to challenge a defender with his snail's pace. I don't think either of the two aforementioned options will be exercised given Fabregas' effective masquerade as a center forward and Alonso's fine play this tournament.