Robben and Robin run La Roja ragged: Spain 1-5 Netherlands match report

Yesterday evening Louis van Gaal's rampant Oranje plundered five goals past a hapless Spain side in a game which nobody could have predicted. Least of all me -- in my preview I had a plumped for a close game; a cagey game; a game with a low number of goals. 2-0 Spain was my guess -- and  I couldn't have been more wrong.

Although, the fact remains that I did in fact pose some pertinent tactical question of the Spain side which looked to have been answered. So, let's take a look:

'Does Del Bosque stick with his solid double-pivot?'

Yes. Well at least up until the 63rd minute when Xabi Alonso was replaced by Pedro -- who filled in on the left wing, allowing Iniesta to move into the number 10 position. At this point La Roja were only 2-1 down to the Dutch side and this did not improve much from this point onwards -- in fact it was arguably worse. Although Spain's defenders (particularly Sergio Ramos) and goalkeeper Iker Casillas were largely to blame for the 3 goals conceded subsequently; Alonso’s presence could have helped Sergio Busquets to shield Spain’s back four against the dual-pronged Dutch attack. But prior to this point Alonso had little impact on the game aside from his 27th minute equaliser from the penalty spot.

‘Does Xavi have the legs to play number 10 at 35?’

Maybe not. Although this possibly looks like the best solution if he continues to start for the national side. Whilst he may have completed the most passes of any player on the pitch, he failed to pick up the ball in any meaningful space and look for an incisive pass. This role was predominantly played by his teammate, Andres Iniesta, who continually drifted inside from his left-wing station to become more involved in the play. If he had started in this position from the outset then we may have seen more sumptuous through-balls like the wonderful disguised pass he played to David Silva -- who promptly fluffed his lines in a chance which would have tipped the game in Spain’s favour. It will surely give Del Bosque a headache for Spain’s remaining games although choosing between Messrs Xavi and Iniesta is a decision every coach would love to be faced with.

‘Can Spain deal with counter-attacks?’

No. No they can’t.

Spain vs Netherlands: player ratings

But a big question posed after this match concerns the opposite side: Should the Netherlands be considered contenders? Louis van Gaal appears to have transformed this team into a ruthless counter-attacking machine with a solid defence. van Persie and Robben formed a perilous partnership against the Spanish. Daley Blind -- who provided the assists for van Persie’s and Robben’s respective first goals -- could prove to be one of the stars of the tournament if keeps supplying the Dutch frontline with spectacular long-balls like he did last night. But while the Dutch back-five and front-two are a cause to be reckoned with, the midfield three (de Jong, de Guzman and Sneijder just ahead) need to play better if they expect to challenge. Sneijder fired straight at Casillas when put through on goal, furthermore, he failed to deliver the defence-splitting through passes we have come to expect from him. The midfield pivot of de Jong and de Guzman are solid and workmanlike but need to be more creative.

Summary

Fair result? Yes,very.

Hero: van Persie.

Villain: Casillas.

Surprise star: Blind

Can van Gaal provide Spain’s undoing? Spain vs Netherlands preview

The teams

 Spain arrive at this World Cup harbouring concrete designs for overall victory - and why shouldn’t they? - they’ve been undeniably the greatest national team in the world since they first set it ablaze with comprehensive victory at Euro 2008. Since then they’ve continued their supremacy, adding another European crown in 2012, after sensationally becoming world champions last time out in South Africa. But Spain enter this particular tournament with a degree of trepidation: they were thoroughly outplayed by Brazil in last year’s Confederation Cup - while tactical questions continue to be asked, namely concerning their midfield three. Does Del Bosque stick with his solid double-pivot? Does Xavi have the legs to play number 10 at 35? And - Can Spain deal with counter attacks?

Expected line-ups

Conversely, the Netherlands have experienced mixed fortunes since they met Spain in that 2010 final. They endured an utterly turgid Euro 2012, going out in the group stage with not a point to their name - but having since changed managers, they have experienced a substantial upturn in form. While the Dutch’s former manager Bert van Marwijk employed a strong midfield two of Nigel de Jong and Mark van Bommel, his successor Louis van Gaal has a abandoned this approach in favour of a more attacking 4-3-3 formation, preserving only the former at its base. van Gaal’s change appeared to have worked throughout the qualifying stage with his side delivering 34 goals in 10 games. Although, curiously, van Gaal has initiated another tactical tweak borne out of the absence of midfielder Kevin Strootman, abandoning his 4-3-3 for a 5-3-2 system.

The game

While van Gaal’s team of players are more than capable of causing problems upfront its their defending that will which surely decide the outcome of this game. It is likely that the Netherlands’ back five will be camped on the edge of their area for long points of this game and look to counterattack through the pace of Robben when they can. Expect left-wingback Daley Blind to attack high up the pitch on occasions too, more so than his compatriot on the opposite flank. The Dutch side is adept at attacking but concentration will be the key for them.

Spain will stick to their Plan A tiki taka approach throughout this game but the question is whether they have an adequate Plan B. The Netherlands’ defensive setup will mean that they will have to remain patient for long periods and feed the pace of Diego Costa in behind the Dutch defence when possible. The absence of  injured Jesus Navas - Spain’s go-to player when chasing a game - suggests that Pedro will be the man tasked with causing problems from a wide position, although he may have to do that from the bench if Silva starts ahead of him.

Prediction

I expect this will be a very cagey game with both teams out to not lose rather than win in their first game. Nevertheless, Spain have the better first XI and the better options on the bench also. This could certainly tip the balance if Spain are looking for a goal.

My prediction: Netherlands 0-2 Spain

I realise this is awful.