Sharman's Proper Match of the Week | Exactly what is Spain?

The International break allows us to sit back and reflect… and ask ourselves questions like, which International side is the most confounding? 

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Well, for today’s lesson, it is going to be… Spain.

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On Wednesday, in the Nations League semifinal, Spain met Italy in a rematch from that classic Euro semifinal back in… July… where Italy won on penalties, after being on the back foot all match….

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Well, Wednesday, revenge was served with an impressive 2-1 Spain win…. This coming after the Spanish had lost to Sweden last month in World Cup Qualifying…. Now Spain, entered Euro as an outsider, touted by few, a team in generally poor form… and a team no longer able to draw from all the world class Spanish talent at Real Madrid and Barcelona.

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In fact there were no Real players for Spain at Euro… and there were none entering this weeks Italy match either… And there were only four Barca players available, with only Sergio Busquets a familiar name to those not close to La Liga…  especially as Fati and Pedri were both missing… in fact, there is no coincidence that as Real and Barca especially suffer through trying times… so should Spain really… only at Euro they were great, and those who love the tactical side of football, rejoiced in the modern style that Luis Enrique coached… it was groundbreaking… players not really in traditional positions, more like buzzing bees, merely filling spaces…. Total Football?  Dare I say….

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No one is really talking about Spain when it comes to next years World Cup, and that is in large part down to the form of Barcelona and Real Madrid domestically… throw in the odd Sweden result, and they really are an enigma, who can then go out and smash the European Champs, while at the same time redefining the game tactically… Spain… so confounding… but don’t bet against them!