Spain

World Cup and Euro holders Spain are going to Brazil on the back of a double win in Europe (two Spanish teams won Europa League and the Champions League) but also with a narrative of a dying philosophy of football.

Midfielders everywhere

Vicente del Bosque took Pep Guardiola’s tiki-taka philosophy and took it to extreme, especially in the knockout stages of major tournaments. Spain passes the ball relentlessly and very cautiously, aware that any counterattack will spoil their chance of advancing into the latter stages.

In 2012, he employed Cesc Fabregas as a ‘false nine’ and told him to help midfielders keep the ball in opposite half. Thus, Spain played with six midfielders and some argued that there was actually eight of them because the full backs Alvaro Arbeloa and Jordi Alba played so high that they should be treated and midfielders.

A year ago he did similar thing with Javi Martinez – he counted for his height to win long balls from defence. Martinez is primarily a holding midfielder, but is equally comfortable as a defender, but in Confederations Cup game against Italy he was employed as a striker. Against the same opposition in March he was a centre back.

With a Brazilian to Brazil

That friendly game this year showed what next step del Bosque wants to take. Cesar Azpilicueta replaced Arbeloa, Sergio Ramos played alongside Martinez in defence. Two main changes happened though in midfield and in attack. Sergio Busquets and Thiago Alcantara complemented each other as holding midfielders with the latter showing what progress he did make during his Bayern Munich time. He emerged as a universal midfielder, capable of playing anywhere in the middle of the park. But sadly he is injured and should return in August.

Main striker of choice will be Diego Costa, who for a long time was among the contenders to play in Brazil national team but with Luiz Felipe Scolari’s reluctance to change his first eleven, Costa decided he will be more appreciated as a Spaniard. He will offer Spain something nobody did for a long time – strength and aggressiveness upfront. And of course, goals.

Spain’s football is generally in great shape with Sevilla and Atletico/Real winning European trophies, but Spain’s football philosophy is not, with Barcelona and Bayern (coached by Guardiola) losing in Champions League heavily. Tiki-taka’s deficiencies are visible – it’s prone to counterattacks and teams generally knew how to defend against it.

Whether del Bosque will adjust national team’s style is a question. He doesn’t really have to, but loss to Brazil at the Confederations Cup last year showed that they’re not invincible anymore.

Playing style

Spain are looking to dominate and control games with possession as well as pressing. They might be more vertical in the group stage but once their progress will be down to a result in one game, they’ll start to be more cautious and force opponent to make mistakes.

Coach

Vicente del Bosque won everything there is to win with Real Madrid and Spain (bar Copa del Rey) and should be regarded as one of the best coaches in history. He is a flexible coach and also an understated tactician capable of surprising the opponent.

Schedule and BETEGY predictions

13th June, Salvador: vs. Netherlands (1-1)

18th June, Rio de Janeiro: vs. Chile (2-1)
23rd June, Curitiba: vs. Australia (3-0)

Spain are likely to qualify from the group stage (73% chance) but BETEGY thinks they’ll finish second in the group losing to Holland on goal difference. In Round of 16, they will then play Brazil and lose 0-2 to hosts and experience a shock early exit.