re: Spain v Italy Group C 11:00am CST ESPN/espn3

I'd give more credit to Italy's tactics.

Did not read the thread, but I loved this game.

The passing by Pirlo, Iniesta, and Xavi was just exquisite. Their play was absolutely stunning. If you did not walk away from this match from a boner from that passing, then I would have to argue that you are gay.

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Also, I continue to wonder how Alonso is rated so much higher than Arteta.

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Beard and experience in big tournaments.

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There is no out and out goal scorer on the pitch right now, and their wings provide nothing vertical or runs behind/diagonal through the Italian backline.

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I would agree with those that call Spain's formation a 4-6-0 due to what was mentioned earlier about Cesc's tendency to come back deep for the ball.

I think it's taken from Guardiola's tendency toward a 4-6-0 with Barca this year. In fact, there was a Zonal Marking article comparing Barca's 4-6-0 to Luciano Spalletti's original one with Roma.

The points made in that article about Barca's troubles were magnified without players with such a nose for goal like Messi and Sanchez on.

This is the salient point you make in my opinion: "their wings provide nothing vertical or runs behind/diagonal through the Italian backline"

The striker was never necessary for Spalletti because the attack came from anywhere and at time everywhere at once.

Spain slowed play down even when they broke pressure (though a lot of credit has to go to Prandlli's tactics for Italy's packed midfield and trapping pressure).


On the other hand, Spalletti's 4-6-0 had the same "lack" of a striker with Totti often coming very deep to pick out through balls but the difference was that the attack was based on lightning quick vertical passes with any combination of the midfield 6 barreling forward unpredictably.

Spain's is a MUCH safer version in that Spalletti's would just as likely have Busquets or Alonzo running through the defense as anyone.


However, you also have to give Italy some credit as Spain's reluctance to press too many runners forward can certainly be due to defenders like De Rossi (and Chiellini) who are composed after interceptions and capable of incisive passes to start counters (not to mention Pirlo waiting to thrust a dagger pass through a stretched defense.)

I doubt Spain will be nearly as reluctant to get forward quickly against lesser competition.

as long as you agree that Pirlo is extremely underrated by EPL/La Liga fans

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I got yelled at by everyone on this board when I said I didn't think Xabi Alonso was as good as he's made out to be by this board

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I think Friend was just trying to pimp Arsenal players.

Alonso has world-class facial hair. You guys clearly do not recognize how important this is.

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No one can deny Pirlo's greatness.

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For sure. He is so sblime, that he appears to be no where, yet in full control of the match. Iniesta was fantastic today as well.