Spain getting owned by Chile at Home

Khaledbarca wrote:Andres Iniesta is key, Cesc Fabregas should start and Sergio Busquets can replace Carles Puyol - how Spain can learn from Barcelona again after the comeback against Chile

Vicente del Bosque's side needed an impressive second-half fightback to beat Chile, but changes to the starting XI can help avoid a repeat of the opening 45 minutes in Switzerland

By Ben Hayward | Spanish Football Editor

Without Andres Iniesta and Cesc Fabregas, Spain quite possibly would not be champions of the world. Last summer in South Africa, as the deadlock remained unbroken following 115 minutes of absorbing football in the final against Holland, Cesc found Iniesta with an intelligent defence-splitting pass which left the midfielder with just Maarten Stekelenburg to beat. The rest, as they say, is history.

On Friday night, Iniesta and Cesc proved the inspiration for Spain once again.

Having gone 2-0 down in a first half which coach Vicente del Bosque claimed "could not have gone any worse", the World Cup winners needed a reaction. Iniesta and Cesc delivered it.

Iniesta replaced Xabi Alonso and Spain improved instantly. His introduction brought a spark that had been missing in the first half, his positive influence rubbing off on his team-mates, mediocre and helpless as Chile raced into a 2-0 lead at the interval.


Fab finale | Cesc scored two late goals to stake a claim for a starting spot

Iniesta got Spain back in it with a low drive from outside the box shortly into the second period, helped into the corner by a fortuitous deflection off Gonzalo Jara. And the midfielder then turned provider for Cesc - on for Xavi - as he threaded an excellent pass through to his Barcelona team-mate, who kept his cool to level the scores. Fabregas had been on the field for just seven minutes.

A thrilling 2-2 would have been just about right, but this Spain side settle only for the best. And a winner came in the dying seconds, when Cesc converted a controversial penalty at the second attempt, after his first effort had been pushed onto the post by Claudio Bravo.

Cesc simply picked up where he had left off with Barca since signing from Arsenal, proving he is ready for a starting spot in this Spain side after five years as a luxury replacement for La Roja.

Fabregas cannot replace Xavi, who is the team's playmaker and pivotal pass-master, nor Iniesta, who showed his importance once again versus Chile. But last night's first half once again highlighted the flaws in fielding both Sergio Busquets and Xabi Alonso in the middle of the park. The partnership gives Spain solidity in the middle, but restricts La Roja as an attacking force. And just as significantly, it means there is no room for Cesc.

“I have not been this happy for some time. I am going through a great moment and let's see if I can use that by playing more with the national side.” - Cesc Fabregas

With Barca defenders Carles Puyol and Gerard Pique both missing through injury, Del Bosque's best option would have been to move Busquets into the back four, where he has performed so admirably of late for the Catalan club, and fielded Fabregas alongside Xavi, with Alonso in a deeper role.

Instead, his decision to start with another midfielder, Javi Martinez, backfired as the Athletic Bilbao man failed to cope with Chile's intensity and persistent pressure in the opening 45 minutes. It was the right idea, but the wrong personnel, as Real Madrid's Raul Albiol proved a less-than-perfect partner for the Basque and his club colleague Alvaro Arbeloa showed he is not Spain's next left-back, either.

There are issues to address, especially because the inspirational Puyol is now approaching the end of his career. Already 33 and suffering from injuries in the twilight of his playing days, the Barca captain is unlikely to be around for too much longer and replacement centre-backs are somewhat thin on the ground in Spain. Pique, still only 24, will be a fixture once he returns, and Busquets can be too. It works at Barcelona and Spain can follow Pep Guardiola's lead once more.

Ominously for their rivals, it will make La Roja even stronger.

http://www.goal.com/en/news/1717/editorial/2011/09/03/2648809/andres-iniesta-is-key-cesc-fabregas-should-start-and-sergio?

EarlyPrototype wrote:Drop biscuits and bring in Cesc. Simple

ragbirjosh wrote:Cool story Bro.We'll see how useless Alsonso is soon enough.Cesc isn't going to lone DM , he is replacing Busquets in a double pivot, where he was regualarly employed at arsenal.

Busquets has average work rate.

omarish wrote:

Khaledbarca wrote:Andres Iniesta is key, Cesc Fabregas should start and Sergio Busquets can replace Carles Puyol - how Spain can learn from Barcelona again after the comeback against Chile

Vicente del Bosque's side needed an impressive second-half fightback to beat Chile, but changes to the starting XI can help avoid a repeat of the opening 45 minutes in Switzerland

By Ben Hayward | Spanish Football Editor

Without Andres Iniesta and Cesc Fabregas, Spain quite possibly would not be champions of the world. Last summer in South Africa, as the deadlock remained unbroken following 115 minutes of absorbing football in the final against Holland, Cesc found Iniesta with an intelligent defence-splitting pass which left the midfielder with just Maarten Stekelenburg to beat. The rest, as they say, is history.

On Friday night, Iniesta and Cesc proved the inspiration for Spain once again.

Having gone 2-0 down in a first half which coach Vicente del Bosque claimed "could not have gone any worse", the World Cup winners needed a reaction. Iniesta and Cesc delivered it.

Iniesta replaced Xabi Alonso and Spain improved instantly. His introduction brought a spark that had been missing in the first half, his positive influence rubbing off on his team-mates, mediocre and helpless as Chile raced into a 2-0 lead at the interval.


Fab finale | Cesc scored two late goals to stake a claim for a starting spot

Iniesta got Spain back in it with a low drive from outside the box shortly into the second period, helped into the corner by a fortuitous deflection off Gonzalo Jara. And the midfielder then turned provider for Cesc - on for Xavi - as he threaded an excellent pass through to his Barcelona team-mate, who kept his cool to level the scores. Fabregas had been on the field for just seven minutes.

A thrilling 2-2 would have been just about right, but this Spain side settle only for the best. And a winner came in the dying seconds, when Cesc converted a controversial penalty at the second attempt, after his first effort had been pushed onto the post by Claudio Bravo.

Cesc simply picked up where he had left off with Barca since signing from Arsenal, proving he is ready for a starting spot in this Spain side after five years as a luxury replacement for La Roja.

Fabregas cannot replace Xavi, who is the team's playmaker and pivotal pass-master, nor Iniesta, who showed his importance once again versus Chile. But last night's first half once again highlighted the flaws in fielding both Sergio Busquets and Xabi Alonso in the middle of the park. The partnership gives Spain solidity in the middle, but restricts La Roja as an attacking force. And just as significantly, it means there is no room for Cesc.

“I have not been this happy for some time. I am going through a great moment and let's see if I can use that by playing more with the national side.” - Cesc Fabregas

With Barca defenders Carles Puyol and Gerard Pique both missing through injury, Del Bosque's best option would have been to move Busquets into the back four, where he has performed so admirably of late for the Catalan club, and fielded Fabregas alongside Xavi, with Alonso in a deeper role.

Instead, his decision to start with another midfielder, Javi Martinez, backfired as the Athletic Bilbao man failed to cope with Chile's intensity and persistent pressure in the opening 45 minutes. It was the right idea, but the wrong personnel, as Real Madrid's Raul Albiol proved a less-than-perfect partner for the Basque and his club colleague Alvaro Arbeloa showed he is not Spain's next left-back, either.

There are issues to address, especially because the inspirational Puyol is now approaching the end of his career. Already 33 and suffering from injuries in the twilight of his playing days, the Barca captain is unlikely to be around for too much longer and replacement centre-backs are somewhat thin on the ground in Spain. Pique, still only 24, will be a fixture once he returns, and Busquets can be too. It works at Barcelona and Spain can follow Pep Guardiola's lead once more.

Ominously for their rivals, it will make La Roja even stronger.

http://www.goal.com/en/news/1717/editorial/2011/09/03/2648809/andres-iniesta-is-key-cesc-fabregas-should-start-and-sergio?

i do agree cesc deserves a place in the nt, but your quoting ben hayward... hes the stupidest editor in goal.com

ramos can be spains cb they are looking for and busquets is too great of a dm to be wasted at the backline....

Khaledbarca wrote:

omarish wrote:

Khaledbarca wrote:Andres Iniesta is key, Cesc Fabregas should start and Sergio Busquets can replace Carles Puyol - how Spain can learn from Barcelona again after the comeback against Chile

Vicente del Bosque's side needed an impressive second-half fightback to beat Chile, but changes to the starting XI can help avoid a repeat of the opening 45 minutes in Switzerland

By Ben Hayward | Spanish Football Editor

Without Andres Iniesta and Cesc Fabregas, Spain quite possibly would not be champions of the world. Last summer in South Africa, as the deadlock remained unbroken following 115 minutes of absorbing football in the final against Holland, Cesc found Iniesta with an intelligent defence-splitting pass which left the midfielder with just Maarten Stekelenburg to beat. The rest, as they say, is history.

On Friday night, Iniesta and Cesc proved the inspiration for Spain once again.

Having gone 2-0 down in a first half which coach Vicente del Bosque claimed "could not have gone any worse", the World Cup winners needed a reaction. Iniesta and Cesc delivered it.

Iniesta replaced Xabi Alonso and Spain improved instantly. His introduction brought a spark that had been missing in the first half, his positive influence rubbing off on his team-mates, mediocre and helpless as Chile raced into a 2-0 lead at the interval.


Fab finale | Cesc scored two late goals to stake a claim for a starting spot

Iniesta got Spain back in it with a low drive from outside the box shortly into the second period, helped into the corner by a fortuitous deflection off Gonzalo Jara. And the midfielder then turned provider for Cesc - on for Xavi - as he threaded an excellent pass through to his Barcelona team-mate, who kept his cool to level the scores. Fabregas had been on the field for just seven minutes.

A thrilling 2-2 would have been just about right, but this Spain side settle only for the best. And a winner came in the dying seconds, when Cesc converted a controversial penalty at the second attempt, after his first effort had been pushed onto the post by Claudio Bravo.

Cesc simply picked up where he had left off with Barca since signing from Arsenal, proving he is ready for a starting spot in this Spain side after five years as a luxury replacement for La Roja.

Fabregas cannot replace Xavi, who is the team's playmaker and pivotal pass-master, nor Iniesta, who showed his importance once again versus Chile. But last night's first half once again highlighted the flaws in fielding both Sergio Busquets and Xabi Alonso in the middle of the park. The partnership gives Spain solidity in the middle, but restricts La Roja as an attacking force. And just as significantly, it means there is no room for Cesc.

“I have not been this happy for some time. I am going through a great moment and let's see if I can use that by playing more with the national side.” - Cesc Fabregas

With Barca defenders Carles Puyol and Gerard Pique both missing through injury, Del Bosque's best option would have been to move Busquets into the back four, where he has performed so admirably of late for the Catalan club, and fielded Fabregas alongside Xavi, with Alonso in a deeper role.

Instead, his decision to start with another midfielder, Javi Martinez, backfired as the Athletic Bilbao man failed to cope with Chile's intensity and persistent pressure in the opening 45 minutes. It was the right idea, but the wrong personnel, as Real Madrid's Raul Albiol proved a less-than-perfect partner for the Basque and his club colleague Alvaro Arbeloa showed he is not Spain's next left-back, either.

There are issues to address, especially because the inspirational Puyol is now approaching the end of his career. Already 33 and suffering from injuries in the twilight of his playing days, the Barca captain is unlikely to be around for too much longer and replacement centre-backs are somewhat thin on the ground in Spain. Pique, still only 24, will be a fixture once he returns, and Busquets can be too. It works at Barcelona and Spain can follow Pep Guardiola's lead once more.

Ominously for their rivals, it will make La Roja even stronger.

http://www.goal.com/en/news/1717/editorial/2011/09/03/2648809/andres-iniesta-is-key-cesc-fabregas-should-start-and-sergio?

i do agree cesc deserves a place in the nt, but your quoting ben hayward... hes the stupidest editor in goal.com

ramos can be spains cb they are looking for and busquets is too great of a dm to be wasted at the backline....

What about the RB?

omarish wrote:

Khaledbarca wrote:

omarish wrote:

Khaledbarca wrote:Andres Iniesta is key, Cesc Fabregas should start and Sergio Busquets can replace Carles Puyol - how Spain can learn from Barcelona again after the comeback against Chile

Vicente del Bosque's side needed an impressive second-half fightback to beat Chile, but changes to the starting XI can help avoid a repeat of the opening 45 minutes in Switzerland

By Ben Hayward | Spanish Football Editor

Without Andres Iniesta and Cesc Fabregas, Spain quite possibly would not be champions of the world. Last summer in South Africa, as the deadlock remained unbroken following 115 minutes of absorbing football in the final against Holland, Cesc found Iniesta with an intelligent defence-splitting pass which left the midfielder with just Maarten Stekelenburg to beat. The rest, as they say, is history.

On Friday night, Iniesta and Cesc proved the inspiration for Spain once again.

Having gone 2-0 down in a first half which coach Vicente del Bosque claimed "could not have gone any worse", the World Cup winners needed a reaction. Iniesta and Cesc delivered it.

Iniesta replaced Xabi Alonso and Spain improved instantly. His introduction brought a spark that had been missing in the first half, his positive influence rubbing off on his team-mates, mediocre and helpless as Chile raced into a 2-0 lead at the interval.


Fab finale | Cesc scored two late goals to stake a claim for a starting spot

Iniesta got Spain back in it with a low drive from outside the box shortly into the second period, helped into the corner by a fortuitous deflection off Gonzalo Jara. And the midfielder then turned provider for Cesc - on for Xavi - as he threaded an excellent pass through to his Barcelona team-mate, who kept his cool to level the scores. Fabregas had been on the field for just seven minutes.

A thrilling 2-2 would have been just about right, but this Spain side settle only for the best. And a winner came in the dying seconds, when Cesc converted a controversial penalty at the second attempt, after his first effort had been pushed onto the post by Claudio Bravo.

Cesc simply picked up where he had left off with Barca since signing from Arsenal, proving he is ready for a starting spot in this Spain side after five years as a luxury replacement for La Roja.

Fabregas cannot replace Xavi, who is the team's playmaker and pivotal pass-master, nor Iniesta, who showed his importance once again versus Chile. But last night's first half once again highlighted the flaws in fielding both Sergio Busquets and Xabi Alonso in the middle of the park. The partnership gives Spain solidity in the middle, but restricts La Roja as an attacking force. And just as significantly, it means there is no room for Cesc.

“I have not been this happy for some time. I am going through a great moment and let's see if I can use that by playing more with the national side.” - Cesc Fabregas

With Barca defenders Carles Puyol and Gerard Pique both missing through injury, Del Bosque's best option would have been to move Busquets into the back four, where he has performed so admirably of late for the Catalan club, and fielded Fabregas alongside Xavi, with Alonso in a deeper role.

Instead, his decision to start with another midfielder, Javi Martinez, backfired as the Athletic Bilbao man failed to cope with Chile's intensity and persistent pressure in the opening 45 minutes. It was the right idea, but the wrong personnel, as Real Madrid's Raul Albiol proved a less-than-perfect partner for the Basque and his club colleague Alvaro Arbeloa showed he is not Spain's next left-back, either.

There are issues to address, especially because the inspirational Puyol is now approaching the end of his career. Already 33 and suffering from injuries in the twilight of his playing days, the Barca captain is unlikely to be around for too much longer and replacement centre-backs are somewhat thin on the ground in Spain. Pique, still only 24, will be a fixture once he returns, and Busquets can be too. It works at Barcelona and Spain can follow Pep Guardiola's lead once more.

Ominously for their rivals, it will make La Roja even stronger.

http://www.goal.com/en/news/1717/editorial/2011/09/03/2648809/andres-iniesta-is-key-cesc-fabregas-should-start-and-sergio?

i do agree cesc deserves a place in the nt, but your quoting ben hayward... hes the stupidest editor in goal.com

ramos can be spains cb they are looking for and busquets is too great of a dm to be wasted at the backline....

What about the RB?

arbeloa can play there, he is a solid defender not the best attacker tho...

Casillas
Montoya Ramos Pique J.Enrique
Busquets
Thiago/Cesc - Iniesta
Silva/Deulofeu - Bojan/Cesc - Mata/Pedro

De Gea
Montoya - Pique - Muniesa/S.Gomez - Grimaldo
Busquets/Romeu
Thiago/Iniesta - Cesc/Isco
Silva/Pedro - Bojan/Morata - Deulofeu/Mata

Guiltybystander wrote:Xavi is the cancer of spain.

They played amazing this summer without him, almost same line up now with him, and they get owned again.

Is that a coincidence? Who knows, who knows.

He is hindering Alonso, who is in superb form.

alexjanosik wrote:

Guiltybystander wrote:Xavi is the cancer of spain.

They played amazing this summer without him, almost same line up now with him, and they get owned again.

Is that a coincidence? Who knows, who knows.

He is hindering Alonso, who is in superb form.

Some respect son.
That cancer as you so disrespectfully call him is the greatest midfielder to have played the game.
He is also THE REASON Spain are the reigning Euro and World champions.
He is also THE REASON your team,Stoke have been getting whipped time and time again over the past few years.
You reach your ridiculous conclusion based on a couple of friendlies nobody gives a damn about.
What a joke?
As for Alonso never in a million years will he be one tenth of the player Xavi is.
Personally I dont give a rats damn about Spain.I want Xavi to retire from internationals so that he can prolong his career and continue ownin Stoke for years to come.
So cut the crap,take off your Stoke glasses and pay some respect.

alexjanosik wrote:

Guiltybystander wrote:Xavi is the cancer of spain.

They played amazing this summer without him, almost same line up now with him, and they get owned again.

Is that a coincidence? Who knows, who knows.

He is hindering Alonso, who is in superb form.

Some respect son.
That cancer as you so disrespectfully call him is the greatest midfielder to have played the game.
He is also THE REASON Spain are the reigning Euro and World champions.
He is also THE REASON your team,Stoke have been getting whipped time and time again over the past few years.
You reach your ridiculous conclusion based on a couple of friendlies nobody gives a damn about.
What a joke?
As for Alonso never in a million years will he be one tenth of the player Xavi is.
Personally I dont give a rats damn about Spain.I want Xavi to retire from internationals so that he can prolong his career and continue ownin Stoke for years to come.
So cut the crap,take off your Stoke glasses and pay some respect.

The xcx wrote:

diptiman wrote:

alexjanosik wrote:

Guiltybystander wrote:Xavi is the cancer of spain.

They played amazing this summer without him, almost same line up now with him, and they get owned again.

Is that a coincidence? Who knows, who knows.

He is hindering Alonso, who is in superb form.

Some respect son.
That cancer as you so disrespectfully call him is the greatest midfielder to have played the game.
He is also THE REASON Spain are the reigning Euro and World champions.
He is also THE REASON your team,Stoke have been getting whipped time and time again over the past few
years.
You reach your ridiculous conclusion based on a couple of friendlies nobody gives a damn about.
What a joke?
As for Alonso never in a million years will he be one tenth of the player Xavi is.
Personally I dont give a rats damn about Spain.I want Xavi to retire from internationals so that he can prolong his career and continue ownin Stoke for years to come.
So cut the crap,take off your Stoke glasses and pay some respect.

all that is fine, but xavi the greatest midfielder to have played the game?

Nah, dont provoke him brah. Hes statement is already delusional as it is.

ragbirjosh wrote:

The xcx wrote:

diptiman wrote:

alexjanosik wrote:

Guiltybystander wrote:Xavi is the cancer of spain.

They played amazing this summer without him, almost same line up now with him, and they get owned again.

Is that a coincidence? Who knows, who knows.

He is hindering Alonso, who is in superb form.

Some respect son.
That cancer as you so disrespectfully call him is the greatest midfielder to have played the game.
He is also THE REASON Spain are the reigning Euro and World champions.
He is also THE REASON your team,Stoke have been getting whipped time and time again over the past few
years.
You reach your ridiculous conclusion based on a couple of friendlies nobody gives a damn about.
What a joke?
As for Alonso never in a million years will he be one tenth of the player Xavi is.
Personally I dont give a rats damn about Spain.I want Xavi to retire from internationals so that he can prolong his career and continue ownin Stoke for years to come.
So cut the crap,take off your Stoke glasses and pay some respect.

all that is fine, but xavi the greatest midfielder to have played the game?

Nah, dont provoke him brah. Hes statement is already delusional as it is.

Look while I don't think Xavi is a cancer to Spain , you can't criticize my friend here without criticizing khaledbarca as well, who came to the similar conclusion that Alonso is useless after one friendly match against Chile.Personally I really don't think any one Midfielder is integral to Spain anymore , they can all be replaced.

Also Xavi really isn't the best midfielder of all time man, he is top 10 , but isn't close to # 1

Finally Dude Xavi is THE REASON Spain are euro and WC champions.Hmmmmm, I seem to remember David Villa and Casillas carrying them to the final,Casillas saving them in the final and Fabregas and Iniesta winnimg them the Final.Puyol also got them across the germany bridge.

Xavi's impact was much more profound at the EURO's where he pretty much was the main reason behind their sucess.Casillas also contributed and Torres scored in the final and I'll be honest and say that xavi was clearly the main reason behind their sucess.

alexjanosik wrote:

ragbirjosh wrote:

The xcx wrote:

diptiman wrote:

alexjanosik wrote:

Guiltybystander wrote:Xavi is the cancer of spain.

They played amazing this summer without him, almost same line up now with him, and they get owned again.

Is that a coincidence? Who knows, who knows.

He is hindering Alonso, who is in superb form.

Some respect son.
That cancer as you so disrespectfully call him is the greatest midfielder to have played the game.
He is also THE REASON Spain are the reigning Euro and World champions.
He is also THE REASON your team,Stoke have been getting whipped time and time again over the past few
years.
You reach your ridiculous conclusion based on a couple of friendlies nobody gives a damn about.
What a joke?
As for Alonso never in a million years will he be one tenth of the player Xavi is.
Personally I dont give a rats damn about Spain.I want Xavi to retire from internationals so that he can prolong his career and continue ownin Stoke for years to come.
So cut the crap,take off your Stoke glasses and pay some respect.

all that is fine, but xavi the greatest midfielder to have played the game?

Nah, dont provoke him brah. Hes statement is already delusional as it is.

Look while I don't think Xavi is a cancer to Spain , you can't criticize my friend here without criticizing khaledbarca as well, who came to the similar conclusion that Alonso is useless after one friendly match against Chile.Personally I really don't think any one Midfielder is integral to Spain anymore , they can all be replaced.

Also Xavi really isn't the best midfielder of all time man, he is top 10 , but isn't close to # 1

Finally Dude Xavi is THE REASON Spain are euro and WC champions.Hmmmmm, I seem to remember David Villa and Casillas carrying them to the final,Casillas saving them in the final and Fabregas and Iniesta winnimg them the Final.Puyol also got them across the germany bridge.

Xavi's impact was much more profound at the EURO's where he pretty much was the main reason behind their sucess.Casillas also contributed and Torres scored in the final and I'll be honest and say that xavi was clearly the main reason behind their sucess.

Spain won the WC based on the tiki taka game.
And guess who emobodies the tiki taka game in the Spain side?
Most passes completed in a WC ever.Most chances created.Ring a bell.

ragbirjosh wrote:

alexjanosik wrote:

ragbirjosh wrote:

The xcx wrote:

diptiman wrote:

alexjanosik wrote:

Guiltybystander wrote:Xavi is the cancer of spain.

They played amazing this summer without him, almost same line up now with him, and they get owned again.

Is that a coincidence? Who knows, who knows.

He is hindering Alonso, who is in superb form.

Some respect son.
That cancer as you so disrespectfully call him is the greatest midfielder to have played the game.
He is also THE REASON Spain are the reigning Euro and World champions.
He is also THE REASON your team,Stoke have been getting whipped time and time again over the past few
years.
You reach your ridiculous conclusion based on a couple of friendlies nobody gives a damn about.
What a joke?
As for Alonso never in a million years will he be one tenth of the player Xavi is.
Personally I dont give a rats damn about Spain.I want Xavi to retire from internationals so that he can prolong his career and continue ownin Stoke for years to come.
So cut the crap,take off your Stoke glasses and pay some respect.

all that is fine, but xavi the greatest midfielder to have played the game?

Nah, dont provoke him brah. Hes statement is already delusional as it is.

Look while I don't think Xavi is a cancer to Spain , you can't criticize my friend here without criticizing khaledbarca as well, who came to the similar conclusion that Alonso is useless after one friendly match against Chile.Personally I really don't think any one Midfielder is integral to Spain anymore , they can all be replaced.

Also Xavi really isn't the best midfielder of all time man, he is top 10 , but isn't close to # 1

Finally Dude Xavi is THE REASON Spain are euro and WC champions.Hmmmmm, I seem to remember David Villa and Casillas carrying them to the final,Casillas saving them in the final and Fabregas and Iniesta winnimg them the Final.Puyol also got them across the germany bridge.

Xavi's impact was much more profound at the EURO's where he pretty much was the main reason behind their sucess.Casillas also contributed and Torres scored in the final and I'll be honest and say that xavi was clearly the main reason behind their sucess.

Spain won the WC based on the tiki taka game.
And guess who emobodies the tiki taka game in the Spain side?
Most passes completed in a WC ever.Most chances created.Ring a bell.

Most chances create ever? that's a push.He had 1 assist ffs.

ragbirjosh wrote:Also alex

Against honduras : Two great individual goals by David Villa. No tiki taka involved in either of the goals.

Against chile :Another sublime individual goal from Villa and a nice goal from iniesta. Nice one two between him and villa , so I suppose some tiki taka. Syill no xavi.

Against Portugal:Tiki taka goal with alonso xavi, iniesta and villa.

Against Praraguay: another Iniesta Villa combo goal, bordering on tiki taka.Still no xavi.

Against germany:Xavi's one assist , a corner for puyol, no tiki taka.

Against the netherlands:Counterattack , great ball from ALONSO to torres , cross to iniesta falling to Fabregas , who passes to iniesta who finishes.No tiki taka, No Xavi.

ragbirjosh wrote:Look , he had 1 assist at the world cup oficially , I didn't make that up , check it out here if you need to.
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/player/_/id/12907/xavi-hern%C3%A1ndez-creus?cc=3888

Secondly there is no way he created the most chances at the world cup , that award goes to ozil pretty easily.

Thirdly i completely understand, that Xavi is integral to Spain's defensive efficiency and their system of starving the opposition of the ball. However just because he is crucial to their overall sytem of play , the difference makers were clearly iniesta an villa, without whom there is no way Spain would get anywhere near the final.They were the key's to Spain's world cup success not Xavi, who was simply their foundation.

alexjanosik wrote:

ragbirjosh wrote:Look , he had 1 assist at the world cup oficially , I didn't make that up , check it out here if you need to.
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/player/_/id/12907/xavi-hern%C3%A1ndez-creus?cc=3888

Secondly there is no way he created the most chances at the world cup , that award goes to ozil pretty easily.

Thirdly i completely understand, that Xavi is integral to Spain's defensive efficiency and their system of starving the opposition of the ball. However just because he is crucial to their overall sytem of play , the difference makers were clearly iniesta an villa, without whom there is no way Spain would get anywhere near the final.They were the key's to Spain's world cup success not Xavi, who was simply their foundation.

Apologies there my mistake.
Just dont get why the backheel shouldnt count as an assist.