Spain's attack struggling without Villa
June 29, 2012, Friday
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AS the European Championship whittles down to the final match, Spain's attack is still looking to find its form.
The defending champion reached its third straight major final but the Spanish team again failed to turn its overwhelming talent into scoring chances.
But maybe that doesn't matter.
"We're playing better in defense than what the characteristics of our players would suggest," Spain coach Vicente del Bosque said. "That's what earns victories."
Spain dominated possession as it normally does, but lacked a cutting edge in front of goal. It's not the first time at Euro 2012 that Spain's attack has failed to sparkle, and the team's lack of finishing up front could all be due to striker David Villa's injury absence.
On Wednesday, Del Bosque started little-used striker Alvaro Negredo over Fernando Torres and Cesc Fabregas, who have scored two goals each at the tournament. Negredo was eventually replaced in the 54th minute by Fabregas, who ended up scoring the decisive penalty.
"Spain held more control after the substitutions," Portugal coach Paulo Bento said. "They put in two players that have very strong characteristics in attack. They had possession and we had to run a lot, so it was hard to get the ball back."
The defending champion reached its third straight major final but the Spanish team again failed to turn its overwhelming talent into scoring chances.
But maybe that doesn't matter.
"We're playing better in defense than what the characteristics of our players would suggest," Spain coach Vicente del Bosque said. "That's what earns victories."
Spain dominated possession as it normally does, but lacked a cutting edge in front of goal. It's not the first time at Euro 2012 that Spain's attack has failed to sparkle, and the team's lack of finishing up front could all be due to striker David Villa's injury absence.
On Wednesday, Del Bosque started little-used striker Alvaro Negredo over Fernando Torres and Cesc Fabregas, who have scored two goals each at the tournament. Negredo was eventually replaced in the 54th minute by Fabregas, who ended up scoring the decisive penalty.
"Spain held more control after the substitutions," Portugal coach Paulo Bento said. "They put in two players that have very strong characteristics in attack. They had possession and we had to run a lot, so it was hard to get the ball back."
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