Spain

[Horatio]

Ngl, based on what Ronaldo says and doesn’t say in interviews, seems like he knows WC is not a given for him.

He never mentions WC preparations. He didn’t even mention it yesterday in the interview posted here.

If pending police interviews is a real thing he needs to act fast!

I feel like its’s 30/70 on will he or won’t he be there.

 

[Alik]

Playing Pedri as a 10 was criminal. The whole game Spain had a problem in midfield.

 

[mc_lovin]

Playing Pedri as a 10 was criminal. The whole game Spain had a problem in midfield.

Was still motm (by ratings). And had a glorious assist.

The biggest issue is that Spain has zero quality upfront other than Nico/Yamal. Apart from the mediocre coach obviously.

 

[Alik]

Was still motm (by ratings). And had a glorious assist.

The biggest issue is that Spain has zero quality upfront other than Nico/Yamal. Apart from the mediocre coach obviously.

Play Pedri deeper and play Olmo/Fermin/ upfront, and you will get more quality. Pedri was missed deeper. He had an assist, but I think Olmo/Fermin would have been more of a threat.

If Balde played it would have helped as well on that front.

 

[mc_lovin]

I mean generally I agree, Pedri is better deeper. But playing him more advanced still works... there are like 10 worse decisions Fuente makes every game

 

[Andresito]

DLF will see the light before WC starts.

Sure Xavi was also moved to 10 for Spain to fit Busi and Alonso but those are miles ahead of those DLF is trying to shoehorn by moving Pedri.

Rodri-Pedri duo is best option on paper and that is what he should be aiming for. Olmo, Fermin and even Merino could battle out for the last spot. Merino could actually work well with runs into the box if F9 Oyarzabal plays.

 

[TheStig]

He won't, he'll play Pedri at 10 in the WC. He wants a solid base of two physical and defensive midfielders behind Pedri and that will be his biggest mistake that could cost Spain the WC title. Pedri and Yamal are by far their best players, it doesn't make sense to play either out of position. We have enough evidence that Pedri is not a good 10, he is not Xavi who could adapt and even that decision from Del Bosque was questionable for me but they won it all so no complaints.

DLF is not some great coach, he is ok and got lucky with this generation at the last Euros. If Yamal and Nico didn't emerge we would still watch a sterile boring Spain.

Too bad Lucho didn't have Yamal and Nico, that would be amazing.

 

[-_- RandomUser -_-]

The next WC is going to be incredibly exciting. Spain, Argentina, France, and Portugal are all top-tier teams and major favorites. The Netherlands isn’t far behind, they’re strong overall, with their only real weakness being the center forward position, but then again that’s an issue for many teams these days.

 

[jamrock]

Talk about identifying the wrong issue and then proving the wrong solution.

Pedri starting at 10 wasn't why they lost nor was it subbing him off.

What the coach did was actually working in the first half,but Martinez made an adjustment, and DLF didn't.

You guys are acting like Spain was playing against some bums in midfield, they have who a lot of people would call the best Midfielder in Europe this season on the opposite side, I don't agree, but the point remains.

They lost on penalties against a team that is probably just as talented or close to it as this Spain team, conceding a 2nd goal that was scored due to mingueza having a horror show and they also didn't execute on one or two chances.

Subbing of pedri or playing him at 10 wasn't the reason the lost.

I would personally play rodri and pedri, but if he doesn't it not like the alternatives are some D class Midfielders.

Why would he change something that won him the Euros and got him to back to back nations league final if memory serves me right, even though that Midfield set up was different.

Pedri Rodri
Ruiz

Is what I would play, but

Rodri Ruiz
Pedri

Isn't much worse, two CL winners and and Euro winners, the actual best Midfielder in the world when fit.

Spain isn't Barcelona where pedri easily clears all our Midfielders.

They have much better issues to worry about at RB and finding a proper CB partnership.

 

[soul24rage]

This has to be the starting XI if they want to win the WC

 

[jamrock]

Pedri as 10, it don't work.lol