The most technically gifted team in the world, Spain habitually holds 60-to-66 percent of possession, using a high-tempo, short-passing game to pick their way through opposing defenses, tying to together long strings of touches that slowly open up defenses with quick, final sequences as they move on goal.
World Cup 2010 Spain Vs. Switzerland Preview: Swiss Tasked With Slowing Down Xavi Hernandez, Spain
Today, Switzerland - not particularly quick, strong, or skilled - is the first team tasked with stopping Spain.
Spain, Going Forward: Xavi Hernandez will be the focal point of the attack, pulling the strings from midfield along with co-pilot Andres Iniesta, looking to find David Villa, David Silva, and Cesc Fabregas. Also expect Hernandez and Iniesta to get into the penalty area as needed. It's not complicated, yet it's near impossible to stop. Spain's quality, particularly in pass, means they can beat you without the need to develop a master plan.
To stop them, Switzerland will need strong performances from Gokhan Inler and Benjamin Huddle. The Swiss central midfielders will have to quickly close out Hernandez and be persistent as the ball is moved to and from the Spanish playmaker.
At the same time, defenders Philippe Senderos and Stephane Grichting will have to maintain good positioning. The speed with which Spain moves the ball means defenders must be quick to get back to their positions (and decisive when they choose to leave them). There goes not need to be much of a channel for Hernandez to exploit, and few are better at finding them and finishing inside them than David Villa.
Switzerland, Going Forward: The Swiss have a number of quality strikers, with captain Alexander Frei and Blaise Nkufo the probable starters. If Frei is not able to go (ankle), Eren Derdiyok could start. Any of the three are capable of consistently getting goals, should they find the ball.
If there is one thing the Swiss strike force lacks it’s pace, which would be a hugh threat for a Spanish line that likes ti play very high up the pitch. Regardless, Spain has one of the best central defense pairings in the world in Barcelona center halves Carles Puyol and Gerard Piqué. If you can not beat them for pace, you are likely not beating them at all.
Switzerland will try to build play through Tranquillo Barnetta and Velon Behrami, who will have to avoid Sergio Busquest in Spain's defensive midfielder role. But even if they do, if they are not going to strike quickly against the Spanish, they are much less likely to strike successfully.
How The Match Turns: Spain is going to hold too much possession for the Swiss to rely on long sequences to build play. They are going to have to take advantage of those moments when Spain has committed too much - when Sergio Ramos and Sergio Busquests are too far up the pitch - and pounce. Unfortunately for the Swiss, they do not have the type of team that is used to relying on this type of attack to win matches.
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