Spain 2-1 Chile: Chile press, foul, then hold on
The starting line-ups
What a bizarre game. Chile started better, then conceded a silly goal, then went two goals and one man down in the same move, then started the second half brightly, then realised a 2-1 defeat would send them through, and stopped bothering.
They made changes from their previous game, chiefly thanks to the suspensions of Mati Fernandez and Carlos Carmona. In came Marco Estrada and Mark Gonzalez, with a slight reorganisation in the front four.
Spain started with a lopsided (Brazil-esque?) 4-2-3-1 system, with Andres Iniesta looking to come in from the right, and David Villa driving forward from his left-sided position to join Fernando Torres upfront.
For the first 20 minutes, Chile were by far the better side. Their pressing all over the pitch completely unsettled Spain, who had been used to playing against two sides – Switzerland and Honduras – who dropped deep and got men behind the ball. Spain couldn’t play out from the back, Xabi Alonso had no time to hit long passes to the wings, Xavi wasn’t able to turn, and David Villa barely touched the ball.
Chile fouling
As always with Chile, there were concerns about their discipline. Their high-tempo, intensive pressing approach naturally causes physical confrontation with opponents, but even so, Chile often struggle to stay on their feet and instead dive into tackles. Sometimes, this is a deliberate strategy high up the pitch – they push men forward and are vulnerable to the counter-attack, and so breaking up attacks with tactical fouling can often be beneficial.
But their fouls tonight weren’t of that nature; they were simply over-eager, reckless tackles. There were three bookings within the first twenty minutes, and it was only a matter of time before they went down to ten men. Estrada was harshly dismissed for an innocuous coming-together with Torres, but in truth he was fortunate not to have been sent-off previously.
High Chile line
Another downside to intense pressing is a defensive line which is often too high to deal with the strikers the team is facing. Spain almost got Fernando Torres in one-on-one with Carlos Bravo from a simple, hopeful ball over the top that Gary Medel only just got to, despite a significant head start over the Liverpool player.
When teams play a high line, the goalkeeper is often forced to play a part-time sweeper role, coming out of goal and clearing any balls that are played over the defence. And this was Chile’s downfall – Bravo came 40 yards off his line to intercept a through ball towards Torres, but it rebounded to Villa, who sidefooted it in from distance.
Chile continued to dominate the game, however. Their formation was of even more interest than usual. Usually, Marcelo Bielsa likes three centre-backs against two opposition strikers, or two centre-backs against one opposition striker – in other words, always a spare man. He was presented with an interesting problem here, because Spain were using two strikers, but one in a withdrawn position – so they were essentially shifting between a one- and two-man strikeforce.
Did Mauricio Isla's dual role cause a problem for Chile for Spain's second goal? When Iniesta (yellow) releases the ball for David Villa, Isla is in a good position to mark him. But when he looks to support Gary Medel, he leaves Iniesta free to sidefoot home. Isla's instinct to double up against Villa is understandable, but it leaves four Chilean players picking up just two Spanish strikers (Torres, out of shot, has just been tripped) and hence a Spanish midfielder was likely to be free.
Bielsa’s system seemed to be designed in response – nominally a three-man defence, but with the ability to shift into a four-man shape with Mauricio Isla dropping back to right-back, and Medel shifting across.
This seemed to cause a slight problem with Isla for the second goal. When Villa got the ball in a wide-left position, Isla dashed over from a central position to help double up against him (no doubt looking to prevent a repeat of Villa’s opening goal against Honduras), but in doing so, left Iniesta free on the edge of the area. He slotted home to make it 2-0, and in the aftermath, Estrada was dismissed.
Second half
Chile got to half-time, when Bielsa made two substitutions, with Esteban Paredes going upfront, and Rodrigo Millar coming on as the central playmaker. Chile seemed to line up in a rough 3-2-1-3 system, and continued their pressing.
They got a goal back immediately – Millar had an instant impact with a deflected strike sailing past Iker Casillas. A slightly fortuitous goal, but of particular concern for Vicente del Bosque will be the fact that two Chileans found space between the lines for the goal. Surely, with his controversial ‘double pivot’ system of two holding midfielders in a 4-2-3-1, that is the last thing that should be happening?
The use of both Xabi Alonso and Sergio Busquets supposedly gives Spain good protection in front of the defence, but here they allow two Chilean players (blue) space between the lines (pink). Carles Puyol is out of position (yellow), creating a 3 v 3 situation at the back.
After that, Chile barely threatened, and both sides realised they were going through. Chile backed off into their own half – surely the first time in Bielsa’s coaching history where one of his sides has done that. Spain knocked the ball around in defence with no intention of moving forward, and the game died a premature death. That was a shame, as the first half was fantastic, and the beginning of the second was very promising.
Conclusion
Can Spain win the tournament with this team? Torres looks unfit, and Iniesta’s desire to come into the centre combined with Villa’s tendency to move into a striking position leaves Spain narrow and predictable. Xavi is still a very good player in his advanced role, but probably not the truly great player he is at Barcelona.
Whichever six players midfielders and attackers are chosen by del Bosque, there will always be a top-class player left out; there will always be someone sitting on the bench who provides something different to those on the pitch. But there seems to be too much overlap in responsibilities when Busquets, Alonso, Xavi and Iniesta are all fielded in the same side. They need either the direct driving midfield runs of Cesc Fabregas, or the width of Jesus Navas or David Silva (coming inside less than he did against Switzerland). Much will depend on the fitness of Fernando Torres, but another re-jig might be on the cards.
Chile depended on Honduras to get through – but thank God they did. They are certainly the most tactically-interesting side in the competition, and their second round game with Brazil could be one of the games of the competition. Today showed their naivety as well as their ability, but in terms of variety and excitement, they’re fantastic. And besides, collecting six points from the group and losing only to the pre-tournament favourites is a great achievement considering the relative lack of individual ability on show.
Chile v Brazil and Spain v Portugal has worked out rather nicely.
Spain 2-1 Chile: Chile press, foul, then hold on
Very intriguing match based on chances 3-2 i thought would have been a fair scoreline. The needless suspensions i think will pretty much scupper their chances against Brazil but with Matty Fernandez back and if Sanchez can deliver some end product i think they will have a puncher’s chance against Brazil. It will be very interesting as well to see how long they can keep up their intense pressing against Brazil
Carmona back too, that’s good. Not great results against Brazil in qualification, but you sense that anything could happen…
They’ve only two days to recuperate; they’d be better off adopting Queiroz’s miserly approach if only for the fact that it would save them energy.
But fat chance…..
So Chile will be missing Medel, Ponce, and Estrada for the next game, at least. Any others? It will be an interesting matchup because Brazil has really forced a very languid tempo in their games this WC. How they react to Chile’s overcaffinated all over the shop style will be fun to see.
Spain looked much more comfortable against Chile once Fabregas was in.
I think that the huge lose for Chile for the next round is the Medel-Ponce duo. They had a good tandem and can deliver into higher attacking positions.
Estrada did an horrible job in the whole game… He won’t be regreted as not being able to play.
One interesting thing to note is that Chile has always suffer lots of strugle against Brazil in official tournaments. But on the other hand, the most notable losses from Brazil with medium-class-southamerican-teams has always been Chile (Copa America ‘87 4-0, Worldcup qualy ‘98 3-0)
I think that the main issue with Chile will be how to lift up the spirit. After this game, they seemed to be very dissapointed about it and they were very sad about how things went over.
@Miguel: I think Spain looked comfortable at that time because they already got the result they needed plus one less Chilean to deal with.
I was looking forward to this match, but the overzealous Chileans made the job harder for themselves. This Chilean team reminded me of Arsène Wenger’s Arsenal. It’s a club that I support, but unfortunately the Chilean team seems to have a similar tendency to deliver exciting football at a high price of making some indefensible errors as Arsenal.
I hope Chile’s next match agaisnt Brazil will be a lot better given they’ve experienced the adrenaline rush etc. of going agaisnt a top team in the World Cup.
Regarding Spain v Portugal, I think Portugal’s midfield is more clearly defined in terms of who shields the back four etc. but Spain has more quality on the attack. Let’s just hope it doesn’t end up in a 0-0 penalty.
Fluid, fast tempo game from Chile, on-the-edge-of-your-seat stuff truly. Pity about the red card, 11 v 11 was a fantastic display of motion.
Carmona’s return is going to be big. Jorge Valdivia in for Mati Fernandez isn’t a bad replacement, although I wonder if his giving up possesion so easily to Xabi Alonso and then not pressing to get it back had something to do with his half time substitution.
Who do you think will fill in for Medel and Ponce? Do you think Isla will slot back into the right back position with either Contreras or Fuentes in the center (or possibly even Jara)? Or do you think he’ll skupper the back three and go with a different formation against Brazil?
The obvious fit for Medel and Ponce as center backs are Pablo Contreras and Ismael Fuentes. Bielsa have used them always as a backup for this 2 players… So in order to replace them, they may use
I think that Chile will play a 4-2-1-3 formation against brazil, very similar to what they do against Honduras (Isla as full back on the right and Vidal on the left) and a double center half with Carmona and someone between Tello or Millar. Mati Fernandez will probably come back and I hope Chupete Suazo finally get on a good shape to start making goals… the thing that has been the most strugling thing for Chile so far.
Full props to Chile for making it through, as well as for attacking football in general. Should make for intriguing knockout matches.
I’m starting to believe Del Bosque is getting his Starting XI and tactics completely wrong, as odd as that may sound considering the amount of Spanish talent in the squad. The Alonso/Busquets combo and the generally narrow midfield has made Xavi far less effective in recent games than he’s previously been. Portugal, as they are now, may prove too much for them.
I’d agree with this. He needs to drop one of Busquets and Alonso, play Xavi in that position and work from there.
I second that. Maybe the trio in the middle could be Xavi-Cesc-Iniesta. That would be a good fit to let Villa in the top left, Torres in the middle and Navas on the right.
You need a ball winner in the middle three, so have Iniesta out wide or keep him for a sub and put Busquets on instead.
This would be a good move. Busquets has been playing really well in the last two matches and is synchronized with his Barça teammates. I would drop Alonso and leave Sergio alongside Xavi.
I agree, that could be a disaster defensively.
Basically, a straight up replacement for Marcos Senna? Can Busquets or Alonso do it? I agree with ZM, that if Busquets and Alonso still play, Spain is going to need some runners and/or width.
Perhaps that’s the dilemma here. Is tiki-taki viable (to win a tournament) 1) without a quality destroyer like Senna, or 2) played with two holding midfielders? Spain has yet to show the fluidity of the 2008 Euro edition, and I’m not sure they will with both Busquets and Alonso in the lineup. At 4-2-3-1 they almost seem like every other side, and negate their strengths.
I wonder–is del Bosque haunted by the failure of Spain in the Confederations Cup, where Xabi Alonso played a solo holding role in the loss to the USA?
Kudos to ZM for the comprehensive coverage of Chile, they’ve been fascinating to watch. Kudos to Honduras for keeping them in the tournament.
Spain seem to be lacking genuine width, especially as most of the LM players in the games so far have tended (like Gerrard)to come inside onto the right foot.
This may seem controversial but I think they miss Reira! He provided width and as a left footer often attempted to get behind the full back. The team had balance when he was in the side. Shame he has personal issues that ruin his football.
It`s shame when red card destroy the fantastic game that we had till then… Chile were better team by far, and Spain seem that they don`t have idea how to play against them. Then came that ridiculous decision of Bravo to left his goal and Chile fall in trouble, red card was complete switch of momentum.
Chile were pressing Spain really well, with almost man-marking, like in basketball. And indeed Both Xavi Alono and Busquets were in permanent problems. They were also very, very dangerous in creating chances… if i remember well they had two very good scoring opportunities while it was 0-0.
And yeah, game tempo splash in second half after Chile goal when they were more interested in Swiss-Honduras result update than their actual game… That and the fact that they were numerically unequall.
Good first half, which on another day it could very easily went 2-0 for Chile.
I just check Chile games against Brazil in quallification, and they don`t look good.
7 goals conceded in 2 games, hat-trick from Nilmar and and double from Luis Fabiano. 2 red cards (also 2 for Brazil).
I think Chile suit really well for Brazil. But one thing for sure it will be very intense and interesting match.
And for Spain, they get Portugal who in my opinion won`t cause them too much problems… but anyway another very good match with everything on stake!
Oh, I disagree very much about Spain-Portugal. Portugal’s defense has been watertight going back through the qualifiers, and they looked very composed against Brazil today as well. If they can get their shooting boots on, I’d say that their pace might take Spain out.
It was a fantastic game indeed until both teams decided to keep the result. Wonderful football, though Bielsa really should have seen that red card coming from a mile away and substitute him, after that tackle that did not earn him the second yellow he should have. A clear mistake by the amazing coach that has prepared Chile so well for this tournament so far.
Can’t wait for the game against Brazil. All odds against them, with key players missing out (despite others returning) and yet the game starts at 0-0.
Regarding Portugal – Spain though, I agree with Miguel. Portugal has shown the most convincing defense so far, and we have all seen how Spain had trouble with that against Switzerland.
Unlike Switzerland they also have a striker that on a good day can score from anywhere on the pitch.
Spain should be careful not to give away too many free kicks close to their goal.
spain will go home, mate.
I don’t think Spain was “unsettled”; I’m sure they were entirely aware that Chile is perhaps the most aggressive pressing team they are likely to face in the tournament, and knew in advance that they’d not be allowed to comfortably play their usual knock-around patient possession game, at least not until the later stages of the match. Even so, you’d be hard pressed to find another team that still managed to hold the ball as well as they did under such relentless pressure.
Not sure exactly what their alternative strategy was, mostly trying to release Torres and Villa, and let Chile foul their (Spain’s) way up the field. Torres definitely doesn’t seem back up to snuff yet; if he were, certainly had his chances to do some damage.
Spain need to get more width in their team. At one stage of the game they played with xavi, xabi alonso, busquests, iniesta and fabregas all on the field. No doubt they are all great players but essentially they are all central midfielders by trade (with the exception of iniesta who can play anywhere!)
Del Bosque needs to make major decisions and pick a balanced team. Portugal will play very similar against them as they played against Brazil. With Portugal’s defensive record, ronaldos pace against the pedestrian Puyol and Pique they could be in trouble.
If they pick the right team, as in drop Torres, play Villa up top supported by Navas and Iniesta, drop Alonso and play the Xavi/Busquets double pivot with Fabregas ahead of them I think they will win and can use that team to go all the way. And still have plenty of game changing players on the bench
“Ronaldo’s pace against the pedestrian Puyol and Piqué” has brought him a whole clutch of goals in the three times they’ve met over the last year and a bit, hasn’t it? All – hang on, let me count – none of them.
I agree with you about Spain needing width, though – especially on the left. But rather than a problem of midfield itself I think it was more Capdevila’s and, to a lesser extent, Ramos’s unwillingness (or perhaps instructions not) to play the “Alves/Abidal” role that Xavi and Iniesta so take for granted, leaving the pair of them on more than one occasion scratching their heads wondering what they were supposed to do with only a two-sided triangle.
I can easily see Spain-Portugal being a draw or one goal match. Portugal is a lot more defensively disciplined and Spain lacks the killer instinct, resorting to rather over-elaborate play. Either some kind of miracle striker will undo either side because I don’t see a very open game. It could just as well go in favor of Portugal because one counter in that open Spain defense is all it takes then Portugal defend. Torres needs to find his boots or Spain its killer instinct.
Iniesta will be a big factor in this game. He is the player that can push the ball forward and make ppl follow him during his runs while disrupting the defense.
Xavi neeeeeeds to play in his usual role, i dont know why Del Bosque doesn’t do that; all of Spain’s press are commenting about it and everyone who knows how Xavi, Barcelona and Spanish team play.
In the last two matches it has really been Torres who has lacked finishing as he has had plentiful through balls played to him and he simply has not delivered. He’s obviously not match fit, which is a shame.
Yes, Chile had Spain on the back foot for a lot of the time, but when hasn’t that been the case this WC when playing Chile? Bielsa’s boys are a hard riding bunch with nothing but attack on their minds, and they have ball skill in buckets (read: dribbling). My heart goes out to them. What I saw of Spain that looked questionable was Torres pretty much. The right wing had Ramos (no surprise to any madridista) and the left wing had Villa, then Iniesta with Capdevila to mix things up. The two Spanish goals were pure Spanish, nothing fortunate with either. It was the Chilean goal that had the air of luck to it with the generous deflection.
I think the final tally was just. Spain fought a tough side and were convincing in the first half. The fact is, sides are having a time playing against Chile because they’re a good side, plain and simple.
Personally, I think this was the match Spain needed to lift itself. They fought hard against a relentless opponent and were still able to show their qualities. The red card put an end to it, but not before the outcome was reached.
Could you comment on the difference between Villa and Robinho when Spain play both Torres and Villa?
You say “Villa’s tendency to move into a striking position leaves Spain narrow and predictable”. I feel like Robinho drops back a bit more but both seem to have about the same tendency to drift in, not strong in either. In the matches under Del Bosque with Villa on the wing I think he’s been very good at staying out wide – it’s the guy on the other side that has a free role and moves all over the pitch.
The first goal was a fluky play not from normal buildup, so it doesn’t mean much, but he was right on the touchline coming up. On the second goal he had come in for defensive reasons and then when Iniesta got the ball on a turnover he immediately drifted wide. Instead of getting into position to get a ball from Torres in front of goal he got it just wide of the penalty area about 16 yards out. His positions in the tactical view part of the match reports are all wider than outside edge of the box until Torres came off.
I agree with you that Spain’s setup is very similar to Brazil. Actually I think it’s even closer than you do. The goals come in different ways and obviously Sergio Ramos being in there instead of Maicon changes things dramatically, but I think Villa plays a very similar role to how you’ve described Robinho’s in past articles. To me the width issue is asymmetric – when they attack on the right they have Villa wide on the left but when they attack on the left there is no attacking player more than a yard on the right side of the imaginary center line.
Isla can’t be blamed for the 2nd goal. Although Isla has doubled up with on Villa there are 2 other defenders in the penalty area both looking out for Torres, the defender behind Isla (Ponce – I think) must rely on the defender behind him (Estrada) taking care of Torres because a player (Iniesta) is on the edge of the area with a potentially free shot.
This is when communication becomes important among defenders, Estrada needs to tell Ponce not to worry about Torres to allow Ponce to get closer to Iniesta (particularly as Torres is on the floor).
Lack of simple communication like this must be a concern if Chile expect to progress, they have a very fluid system when attacking but once they lose the ball they need to quickly adapt their position to fill in the defensive gaps. In this instance Jara and Vidal have been isolated and Spain have shifted the ball across the pitch to stretch the play, Estrada – as the covering player – should have been more aware about where Ponce needed to be and should have told him. Its possible he did tell him (although replays don’t suggest there was communication) and Ponce didn’t react, but either way Isla did the right thing to leave Iniesta to someone else.
He’s not being blamed personally, it’s rather more pointing out that Chile had one more player in the defensive line than they really needed when he dropped into defence.
I would say the free player above the two on the picture should have moved in the area to mark EITHER Iniesta or the other spanish player (though at the time of picture taken, he was not a similar threat as Iniesta and outfield Chilean could have tried to move in to mark him – though would have probably been too far away at that point).
Bravo seemed to take a lot of criticism from the English comentators for coming off his line but I think he made the right choice. Torres was certain to get to the ball ahead of the defender, and while he would still have had to deal with that defender before he could have a chance on goal i think you would want your goal keeper to come and clear that ball, he was just unlucky with his clearance.
Spain have a few players trying to find their form and fitness, the further they go the better they should be…
On a tactical note it is often said that Spain struggle to get the best out of Torres because they don’t look for him/release him early enough in moves. In the first 15 minutes yesterday it seemed Spain tried to find him quite often, even Spanish players not immediately pressed by a Chilean were hitting balls to him. With Chile pressing so far up the pitch it was a good tactic but Torres isn’t in the best of form and it didn’t work as well as it probably should, after 15 minutes with so little posession Spain seemed to prefer to pass through the pressing.
Was glad Chile went through, was a litte worried when they failed to score a second goal in their opening 2 games as i thought it might cost them, it’s a shame they have to play Brazil but it should be a good game, as will Spain Portugal.
The commentators in the US criticised Bravo for not sending the ball into the stands, and I agree with them.
Bravo was unlucky that Villa could react so accurately and quickly, but he should never have let the situation arise.
Excellent analysis, as usual, ZM. The analysis of the first goal is stuff you won’t hear the bumbling buffons on ITV, and BBC say. It maybe a wonderous/freak goal, but it came as a result of Chile playing a high line and forcing the keeper to be.a sweeper. It was a poor clearance, but not a poor decision..
Glad for Chile to get advance and not the Swiss. The Swiss have been absolutely dreadful. They got a fluke win and scored the trashiest and flukest goal in the tournament. Showed nothing against an open Chile team and couldn’t hit the side of a barn door against Honduras.
As for Spain vs. Portugal it has the makings of a 0-0 or 1-0.
I don’t think Quieroz has been given enougb credit for the way he has managed to get this team out of group. He handled all three games from a tactical and approach point of view perfectly. He went for the 0-0 against IC knowing he had NK next. He then got the goals against NK and went for the kill in the second half which effectively got Portugal in the second round. He had a great plan against Brazil and stifled them. For parts they looked the better and more dangerous team. He has shown a keen understanding of the group dynamic and how to get out of group. Its not as simple as just win all of your games.
I completely agree with an earlier comment: Del Bosque’s Spain in this 4-2-3-1 looks just like any other side, while its players as individuals are much better compared to other teams(with only a few exceptions). Is there some particular reason for which Senna wasn’t selected? Is he unfit or injured or anything?
Anyhoo it is common sense that Xavi needs to play in his natural position. The problem is that any central trio that contains just one of the Alonso/Sergio B. duo is more suspect defensively. None of them is a Mascherano, a Cambiasso or a Senna. So really….why wasn’t Senna picked?
Apart from that of course Torres needs to get back into form, and those full backs really need to provide more attacking options for the team. Putting Iniesta on the right would work even more effectively if Rammos made runs towards the corner flags something he hasn’t done that much and frankly I don’t suppose he will during the defensive-minded knock-out games. And on that note I wouldn’t expect Del Bosque to bench neither Alonso nor Bousquets to make room for a much more offensive Cesc unless he needs a goal
Truth be told, a lot was expected from this team of genuinely brilliant players (individually), but we haven’t seen anything great just yet
Senna is injured. I wonder if any of the defenders could play Senna’s role. Marchena has been playing defensive midfielder at Valencia over the last season. Albiol’s wikipedia page tells me that he can play as a dm too.
The big problem for me in this defence is Puyol. If he sees anyone with the ball on the half-way line, he runs all the way to dispossess him, and like in the screengrab in the article, it upsets the balance of the defence. It seems he is doing the ball-winning role of Senna. Maybe it is better to play him as one of the dms. I also notice that Busquets doesn’t play as far back as Gilberto Silva.
Maybe Pique in the DM role?
Thanx for the info on Senna mate! Using Marchena and Xavi is indeed a good idea but is Del Bosque going to reorganise his midfield like that now that the knock out round is underway? It might be a tad too risky. But I know I for one would like to see that formation with Cesc in front of them
As I mentioned in reply:
Spain seem to be lacking genuine width, especially as most of the LM players in the games so far have tended (like Gerrard)to come inside onto the right foot.
This may seem controversial but I think they miss Reira! He provided width and as a left footer often attempted to get behind the full back. The team had balance when he was in the side. Shame he has personal issues that ruin his football.
Juan Manuel Mata, Jose Antonio Reyes, Pedro Leon, Jordi Alba, Vicente, Jurado and Diego Capel before Albert Riera.