WHEN SPAIN PLAY like that, it is, admittedly, exceptionally difficult to stop them.
But the truth is that, over the last four years, Spain haven’t been allowed play like that.
Because, for every exquisite goal the world champions scored, Giovanni Trapattoni made an error that facilitated their finesse.
Before going into that, though, let’s get one thing straight. Getting that result that was going to keep Ireland in the tournament was always going to be a very difficult job and, in reality, a freak historical occurrence.
What’s more, all of this should be placed in the context that Trapattoni has been a qualified success in his management of the Irish team. Individual criticisms do not amount to complete criticism of the coach.
But, tonight, those individual criticisms are justified.
To begin, it is worth stating that, as difficult as Spain are to play, they have not been given an easier time of it at an international tournament since they first won Euro 2008.
This is down to Trapattoni’s first mistake.
Since Spain swaggered their way to that victory in Switzerland and Austria, opposition sides realised that the only way to properly combat the defending European champions was to sit very deep, congest all available space and just try and hit them on the break. That was the true genesis of those minimalist 1-0 wins in the World Cup.
Tonight, Ireland did not congest that space. As early as the second minute, Andres Iniesta was allowed to pick out Xavi just yards from the Irish penalty spot. It’s been quite a while since Spain have been allowed to that in a game at this tournament level. And certainly so early in a game.
Secondly, there was the basic defensive sloppiness. As was said after the Croatia game, if you’re going to base your game on defensive solidity, you have — quite simply — be solid.
After the match, to be fair, Trapattoni put this down to something deeper.
“Something has changed since qualifying. I didn’t see this tension, these nerves then. But this is a clear symptom of a side who, when they go to a competition either feel so concerned they make basic errors or feel inferior.
“I will ask the lads how in earth it’s possible that, in two games, after two minutes, we’ve gifted them a goal. Then, we’ve given them another.
“Just like against Croatia, this means you throw any tactical plan out the window.”
Ireland’s John O’Shea and Sergio Ramos of Spain. Pic: INPHO/James Crombie
To be truthful, though, Trapattoni’s prior plan had already opened the door. Thanks to the ludicrous openness in midfield that allowed David Silva to be picked out, and then the defensive sloppiness that allowed Fernando Torres to simply carry the ball into the box, Spain struck.
Ireland never looked like doing similar. And that wasn’t just down to a lack of the ball. There was also the lack of a proper target man in a long-ball game. How can you expect a forward as immobile as Robbie Keane to forage in such a system.
Whatever about the manager’s previous impressive feats with this team and in his career, this was just illogical.
After that, of course, the game perfectly conformed to logic. Since 2007, this Spanish team have never failed to win a competitive game in which they’ve scored first.
As such, the following 87 minutes can be forgiven — even if Cesc Fabregas was the only Spanish player in the box for the corner that led to his goal.
Once Spain go ahead, they can use their passing to devastating effect. Not only do they unravel you but they exhaust you.
The sad fact is, though, that it was Trapattoni’s errors that at the very least set the platform for Spain’s later perfection.
Gdansk for the memories – but the party’s over now
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