International Friendlies before Brazil 2014

Surely if Barry is considered (not saying he will be, mind) it will be as back-up/competition to Gerrard in that deeper role. He's not played in a more attacking role in years. And will Lallana be considered for a central role or will Roy stick with his previous pattern of using him as a wide player?

Saw the 2nd half of Spain game, they looked decent in attack for a change. Looked dangerous, even if Costa gave them nothing.

Pedro,Silva and Iniesta looked very bright and removing one of Alonso or Busquets is a pleasant sight for my eyes.

Italy offered little, especially in the area which would raise question marks, in between the lines.

If Spain want to play without one of the two (Busi, Alonso) then naturally that is the area you need to look at. Italy offered no threat, whereas the likes of Brazil, Germany and others certainly would.

@Dani: 1st half was a different case as to where Italia caused us problems on the counter where Cecil continually ripped Alba while Osvaldo missed some guilty chances. It was not until Iniesta took control in the game in the 2nd half that España dominated possession as even then Pirlo's sensational ball by Osvaldo was missed again while Xabi cleared Immobile's ball off the line.

Point being it was a rubber friendly given Prandelli did not want it and never will choose to "show his hand" before World Cup hence the 3-0 loss to Russia directly before the Euros, C team of Italia in the 2nd half and change of semantics 3 times to experiment.

@Arquitescu wrote:@Dani: 1st half was a different case as to where Italia caused us problems on the counter where Cecil continually ripped Alba while Osvaldo missed some guilty chances. It was not until Iniesta took control in the game in the 2nd half that España dominated possession as even then Pirlo's sensational ball by Osvaldo was missed again while Xabi cleared Immobile's ball off the line.

Point being it was a rubber friendly given Prandelli did not want it and never will choose to "show his hand" before World Cup hence the 3-0 loss to Russia directly before the Euros, C team of Italia in the 2nd half and change of semantics 3 times to experiment.

And how surprising that is

Anyway, yeah, indeed I have no clue about the 1st half and I am not one to make concrete judgements about a team based on just one half (as it pertains to Italy that is, who I have not seen much of the last 12 months).


BTW, does anyone know who Charles Aranguiz is? Midfielder for Chile. I read good things and apperently those South American gold finders Udinese own him.

@The Franchise wrote:BTW, does anyone know who Charles Aranguiz is? Midfielder for Chile. I read good things and apperently those South American gold finders Udinese own him.

I saw him in the friendly Germany vs Chile, and he looked soso. Missed two really good chances, IIRC.