There are things that don't change.
For more than a decade, Spain has imposed a football based on possession, the multiplicity of passes and the game of transition.
A style of play that has put Spain at the top of world football.
From 2008 to 2012, the Iberians won successively, Euro 2008, the 2010 World Cup and Euro 2012. An unprecedented treble in the history of football.
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However, this style will reach its limits.
La Roja struggling to renew itself, has a series of poor performances (1st round of the 2014 World Cup and 1/8 finals at Euro 2016).
The Spanish game is becoming soporific, the players chaining the side passes are unable to set the pace.
The climax will be reached in 2018 against Russia in the Round of 16 of the World Cup.
Spain have more than 80% possession but are unable to fold Russia and ultimately lose on penalties.
Has Spain changed?
After three successive failures, Luis Enrique relaunched Spain with this campaign in 2021. However, the selection still practices the same football.
Indeed since the start of the competition, the Spaniards still have a fairly overwhelming possession of the ball.
In addition, the matches against Sweden and Poland looked like an attack-defense.
Against the Swedes, La Roja even managed 830 passes, a record.
Ball possession and multiple passes are still part of Spain's DNA.
Read also: Tops / Flops Croatia-Spain: Morata in the lead, the Croatian defense sank
Read also: Tops / Flops Switzerland-Spain: Simon makes up for it, the Swiss environment underwater
Notable differences
If the substance of the Spanish game is still felt, the application in the field is not (more) the same. Indeed, this Spanish team version 2021 is much younger and especially much less experienced than its elders. Apart from the captains Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets (77 and 126 selections) and Koke (55 selections), all the players summoned to this Euro 2020 have less than 50 selections. A less experienced and therefore more spirited team that controls less. Indeed, the Grande Roja of the period 2008-2012 seemed unfazed and always kept control of the match and events. Based on a solid defense (3 goals conceded in 2008, 2 in 2010 and 1 in 2012), this Roja has not conceded any goal in the choppy, knockout matches, symbol of her mastery. Now theLuis Enrique's Spain is more muddled behind. Evidenced by Unai Simon's blunder against Croatia, the two goals conceded at the end of the match against the checkered team and the goal conceded against Switzerland, the origin of which is a misunderstanding between Pau Torres and Aymeric Laporte, the two defenders. central.
This version of Spain in 2021 is therefore less imposing and impressive. The names are less buzzing but it is more spectacular (12 goals scored, best attack in the competition) and can surprise Italy with its individual qualities and / or the technique of its attacking elements like Ferran Torres, Pedri, Dani Olmo… Everything as it can sink.
