The crew performed greater than 4000 passes within the event –highest for any crew –but that did not translate into significant openings, particularly in opposition to a powerful protection like Morocco’s. TOI takes a have a look at what went fallacious for the 2010 champions.
OVERDEPENDENCE ON A MODEL WITHOUT A KEY CONSTITUENT
Tiki-taka is all about ownership, however the prime priest of the device — Pep Guardiola — at all times had improbable goalscoring machines in all his groups. It was once Leo Messi. Zlatan Ibrahimović and David Villa all the way through his Barcelona days, Robert Lewandowski in Bayern Munich and in Man City it’s been Sergio Aguero, Gabriel Jesus and now Erling Haaland. Even Luis Enrique — when he received the treble with the device for Barcelona — had Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar as his entrance 3. But now after taking on because the Spanish trainer, Enrique is adamant in regards to the device and not using a high quality striker and a Plan B. His handiest authentic No. 9 Alvaro Morata, regardless of scoring 3 targets within the World Cup, was once introduced on past due on Tuesday.
Borja Iglesias of Real Betis — a constant goal-getter in La Liga who has 8 from 13 this season — was once no longer decided on as a result of he does not match Enrique’s passing taste. Celta Vigo’s Iago Aspas, some other high quality finisher, is regarded as to be previous his top. Even Feran Jugtala, a La Masia product who’s having a break-out season for Club Brugge, did not make the reduce. It intended that Spain have been left taking part in lateral passes from one flank to the opposite and the Morocco protection had hardly ever anything else to take care of within the air. They knew they might continue to exist if they might shut the areas between the traces they usually with ease did that, permitting no house to Pedri & Co to paintings their passing magic. It helped that Morocco have not conceded a unmarried target since August and are taking part in with improbable self belief.
RELUCTANCE TO CONSIDER PLAYERS WITH WINNING MENTALITY
Sergio Ramos labored his socks off to be match for PSG this season and hasn’t neglected a recreation, barring an atypical crimson card. Ramos is an inspirational chief and is aware of what it takes to win. Add to that his talent to attain a very powerful targets, each from headers and consequences. Enrique selected to stay with a half-fit Eric Garcia who could not be performed and lost sight of Ramos. This intended that Rodri, in the beginning a defensive midfielder, had for use as a defender. He was once no longer allowed to move up and lend a hand the assault, one thing he does moderately successfully for Manchester City.
An possibility like Lukas Vazquez, who doubles up as a right-back and a right-winger for European champions Real Madrid, wasn’t thought to be. And Dani Carvajal and Cesar Azpilicueta — who’ve six Champions League winners’ medals amongst themselves — have been made to take a seat out within the knockout recreation. Carvajal’s talent to play the past due killer floater for Madrid in past due phases of the sport is easily documented, yet that did not reduce a lot ice with Enrique.
OPPOSITION, WHO?
After the defeat on Tuesday, Enrique requested the reporters a few Morocco midfielder Azzedine Ounahi. “Oh my god, where does this guy come from?” Enrique requested, obviously indicating that he did not find out about an influential opposition participant at the moment of information analytics. Even when the tiebreaker began, he simply wrote 3 names and requested Busquets to search out others. During the shootout, he was once observed sitting on my own within the dug-out — almost definitely no longer the most efficient frame language for a trainer in a recreation of this magnitude. “This is not the time I want to go home and see my dogs,” Enrqiue stated when requested about his long term. He might nonetheless have the backing of the federation with one and a 1/2 years to move for the Euros, yet that may be his final likelihood.
SPAIN’S PENALTY FAILURES
England’s failure in tie-breakers is a constant supply of memes, yet Spain don’t seem to be a ways at the back of. Including the Tuesday loss to Morocco, Spain have now misplaced 4 of the 5 tie-breakers they’ve confronted within the World Cup, their handiest win coming in opposition to Ireland within the 2002 Round of 16. It obviously confirmed that Enrique’s ‘homework’ to each and every participant taking 1000 consequences within the lead-up to the World Cup did not paintings.
1986 Quarters in opposition to Belgium: Under Emiliano Butragueno, Spain had appeared very potent till they met Belgium within the last-8. Spain have been knocked out 5–4 within the tiebreaker after the fit ended 1–1.
2002 Quarters in opposition to South Korea: After beating Ireland in a tie-breaker, Spain, with Enrique as a key member, have been compelled right into a shootout through hosts Korea following a goalless draw. Joaquin neglected his shot within the tie-breaker and Iker Casillas was once not able to forestall any of the Korean consequences
2018 Round of 16 in opposition to Russia: After completing 1-1 in a recreation that resembled Spain’s fit in opposition to Morocco on Tuesday, La Roja misplaced the tie-breaker to the hosts with Koke and Iago Aspas lacking their photographs.
2022 Round of 16 to Morocco: Spain didn’t convert a unmarried penalty with Sarabia, Busquets and Soler all lacking their photographs. Seville’s Yassin Bounou in Morocco target on the best of his recreation made it much more tough.