Spain may have dominated the group phase, but observers have found a weak point in a team capable of scoring 14 goals in three games: their defense. Although they only conceded three goals, their lack of depth management against Belgium and Italy has doubted their chances for the rest of the competition.
In three group matches, Spain has aligned three different central defense pairs: Maria Mendez and Laia Aleixandri against Portugal, Irene Paredes and Laia Aleixandri against Belgium and Maria Mendez and Irene Paredes against Italy.
It was a forced change in the first game, because Paredes was suspended for picking up a red card against the Czech Republic in qualification, but rather surprising after, because Montse Tome had still not found his favorite partner.
“Each of them has their strengths”, ” commented Mendez in the mixed area after the match against Italy.
“I feel comfortable with everyone. We help each other, no matter who plays, we all play at a very high level. It is a very long tournament, and we must all be ready to play in case something happens.”
Spain has a total of four central defenders, but only two dedicated to the role: Mendez and Paredes. Aleixandri can also play in the midfield, while Jana Fernandez, who trained as a central defender, generally plays as rear right.
Score more to compensate
This alternation between pairs makes it more difficult for them to work together when it comes to dealing with decorations or counterattacks.
The head of Justine Vanhaevermaet from the corner of Tessa Wullaert gave Belgium their first goal against Spain in the group phase, while Ona Batle and Pareds perfectly presented the ball for the equalizer of Hannah Eurlings in the same game.
If the Belgians, who had been defeated in depth 5-0 by France in their warm-up match, were unable to keep up with the pace to keep a draw, it was mainly due to the Spanish attack rather than their defense.
“This is something that we have improved from the League of Nations. Before, our opponents put a goal in front of us and we did not know how to answer. Now we can relax when it happens”, ” said Mendez.
“This is the most important thing in a league like this, to always come back.”
Proof that if the Spanish defense does not do the work, it can always compensate for this by scoring at least one more objective. Against Belgium, Roja has scored four additional goals. Only three against Italy, which had opened the scoring after a ball was badly given at a kick.
These three goals conceded by the same errors against the nations considered to be lower than the world champions in Spain worry Spanish journalists, who dream of seeing Roja finally progress beyond the quarter-finals of a European championship.
“The ‘but’ of the Spanish team of Montse Tome is in defense”, “ writing El PaisFor example.
A taboo subject
The weakness of Spain also reassures Swiss players, who qualified for the final phase of their competition at the last minute thanks to an equalization objective against Finland.
If the interior team dreams of a shock victory Against Spain, Alayah Pilgrim is well aware that she will make her say as an attacker.
“They have incredible players, they are all at a high level. But I think they are also making mistakes, especially in defense. They are stronger in attack than in defense, they are human beings. I think we will have our chances too,” She explained.
The Spanish boss volumes is bored that a question on the subject is asked at a press conference on the eve of the confrontation in the quarterfinals.
“I would like to ask you what you mean by defensive weakness,” She answered the journalist who asked her the question.
“What I know is that we are the professionals in this field, and we are also those who best understand the team.”
She continued: “It is obvious that this team wants to improve in all areas, but we only conceded three goals. We have very good defenders, incredible players who have proven their talent, their value and their capacity for a long time.
“I do not think that it is a weakness. The attack and the defense are collective things. We need the defenders to help us take out the ball in attack and to the attackers to support when we lose the ball, as well as the wingers, who must begin to defend. It is a team effort.”
However, his Swiss counterpart clearly identified these shortcomings and Pia Sundhagus explained during the press conference how the speed of Iman Beney and Nadine Riesen on the flanks, or Sydney Schertenleib in the center, could be useful on the counterattack.
“If the penultimate pass is correct, we can create chances”, “ She promises.
Captain Lia Walti is more prudent: “If they always have the ball, it is because they defend themselves extremely well. They recover the ball very quickly and that is what will test us.”
So, is the defense of Spain a real weakness or simply a red herring? The question will be answered Friday evening to 21:00 this.
Follow the confrontation with FlashScore here.
(Tagstotranslate) Football