Spain: Best Team Ever?
By defeating Italy 4-0 in the EURO 2012 Final in Kiev in the end of June, Spain made people question whether they are the greatest international team of all time. Having won the last three major tournaments, and having not lost in a knockout stage since being knocked out of the Confederations Cup in 2009 by the United States, many arguing for Spain certainly have grounds for their claim. With legends such as Xavi, Iker Casillas, and David Villa, as well as blossoming stars such as Cesc Fabregas, Jordi Alba, and Andres Iniesta featuring since their EURO 2008 win, the quality of Spain is both in their individuals and the whole, with Vincente del Bosque instilling an attractive, 'lull you to sleep' triangle passing scheme, with brief glimpses of absolute class leading to goal after goal after goal. In Kiev, the Spaniards made Italy look like chumps, which is no small task. Italy was just finding their stride by the time they reached the final, adding goals and brawn to their trademark Italian defense and creativity. After defeating the co-favorite Germans in the Semi-Finals relatively easily, the Italians convinced the football community (myself included) that they would put up a fight against Spain.
They did not.
And one thing is for sure: it wasn't Italy's fault they got hammered. For the majority of the game, they got Spain out of their comfort zone and even created a few chances with their press. Even when the wheels started to fall off and they were forced to ten men due to injury, the Italians fought hard and defended well against Spain. Spain was just on a different level. And that, for me, is the story of this team. Even against the strongest opponents and in the toughest tests, this Spanish side has come out victorious, and aside from a few games, have made it look easy. They were even so good that Fernando Torres won the Golden Boot despite starting just one game. No small task.
I never saw 1970 Brazil play, so I won't pass judgement over about whether this Spanish nucleus is better head-to-head than the yellow shirts of over four decades ago. All I will say is that the fact that we are making this comparison with a straight face says so much about how good this Spanish team is, and how good they will likely be for the next four to six years. While they have an aging nucleus, plenty of players who broke into the first team in EURO 2012 will be hitting their prime by World Cup 2014 and EURO 2016, and we shouldn't discount them as a world superpower for the next half decade at very least. Between longevity, variety of player, competitive fire, and absolute class (highlighted by their captain, Iker Casillas, who asked officials to call off extra time in the Final because he couldn't stand to see Italy down to 10 men due to injury) of all players, coaches, and the philosophy of this team, there are few teams in any sport that can replicate the formula and success that Spain has achieved over the last six years.
Take heed: this team won't be here forever, so enjoy them every chance you get. There likely won't be another like them.
They did not.
And one thing is for sure: it wasn't Italy's fault they got hammered. For the majority of the game, they got Spain out of their comfort zone and even created a few chances with their press. Even when the wheels started to fall off and they were forced to ten men due to injury, the Italians fought hard and defended well against Spain. Spain was just on a different level. And that, for me, is the story of this team. Even against the strongest opponents and in the toughest tests, this Spanish side has come out victorious, and aside from a few games, have made it look easy. They were even so good that Fernando Torres won the Golden Boot despite starting just one game. No small task.
I never saw 1970 Brazil play, so I won't pass judgement over about whether this Spanish nucleus is better head-to-head than the yellow shirts of over four decades ago. All I will say is that the fact that we are making this comparison with a straight face says so much about how good this Spanish team is, and how good they will likely be for the next four to six years. While they have an aging nucleus, plenty of players who broke into the first team in EURO 2012 will be hitting their prime by World Cup 2014 and EURO 2016, and we shouldn't discount them as a world superpower for the next half decade at very least. Between longevity, variety of player, competitive fire, and absolute class (highlighted by their captain, Iker Casillas, who asked officials to call off extra time in the Final because he couldn't stand to see Italy down to 10 men due to injury) of all players, coaches, and the philosophy of this team, there are few teams in any sport that can replicate the formula and success that Spain has achieved over the last six years.
Take heed: this team won't be here forever, so enjoy them every chance you get. There likely won't be another like them.
Team of the Tournament
GK: Iker Casillas, Spain
DL: Jordi Alba, Spain
DC: Pepe, Portugal
DC: Andrea Barzagli, Italy
DR: Philip Lahm, Germany
MC: Andrea Pirlo, Italy
MC: Daniele de Rossi, Italy
MC: Andres Iniesta, Spain
LW: Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal
RW: David Silva, Spain
ST: Mario Madzuckic, Croatia
Bench:
Gigi Buffon, Italy
Jakub Blaszczykowski, Poland
Cesc Fabregas, Spain
Joao Mountinho, Portugal
Alan Dzagoev, Russia
Joe Hart, England
Mesut Ozil, Germany
Early European League Predictions
English Premiere League
1. Manchester City
2. Arsenal
3. Manchester United
4. Chelsea
5. Newcastle United
6. Liverpool
Manchester United, Chelsea, and Arsenal will have to still make some strides to pass City, even with the blue end of Manchester being abnormally inactive this transfer window. Arsenal jumps up to number two on my list, as I feel their additions of Olivier Giroud and Lukas Podolski, and additional playing time for Jack Wilshere and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain should fill the biggest gaps in a team that finished third last year. They could have easily been swapped with United, but I chose to bump down the Red Devils because I don't exactly see the addition of Shinji Kagawa vastly improving their squad. Chelsea is a bit more like Swiss cheese and has a lot of players hanging in the balance, but I recon they'll be making moves-a-plenty come mid-July. Newcastle, Liverpool, Spurs, Everton, and Fulham make up the second tier, with Spurs falling out of the top 6 due to a complete lack of a striker at time of writing.
Manchester United, Chelsea, and Arsenal will have to still make some strides to pass City, even with the blue end of Manchester being abnormally inactive this transfer window. Arsenal jumps up to number two on my list, as I feel their additions of Olivier Giroud and Lukas Podolski, and additional playing time for Jack Wilshere and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain should fill the biggest gaps in a team that finished third last year. They could have easily been swapped with United, but I chose to bump down the Red Devils because I don't exactly see the addition of Shinji Kagawa vastly improving their squad. Chelsea is a bit more like Swiss cheese and has a lot of players hanging in the balance, but I recon they'll be making moves-a-plenty come mid-July. Newcastle, Liverpool, Spurs, Everton, and Fulham make up the second tier, with Spurs falling out of the top 6 due to a complete lack of a striker at time of writing.
Spanish Liga BBVA
1. Barcelona
2. Real Madrid
3. Athletico Madrid
4. Malaga
5. Valencia
6. Sevilla
Jordi Alba is a terrific signing for the Catalans, and should be enough to propel them to the top of La Liga yet again, as they're already one of the deepest and most talented teams in the world up front and in the midfield. Alba's signing should fill depth gaps that exposed an injury-laden team in 2011/12. Real Madrid are the defending champions, but having not made a move this summer, and with plenty of potential selection problems already, I've got them slightly behind Barca. From there, a huge gap separates them from their crosstown rivals Athletico, who have been inactive and will mostly look to hold on to key players such as Falcao. Malaga places fourth because while they need a striker, they should have finished there last year. Valencia drops to the five spot due to inactivity and many first-teamers leaving Nueva Mestalla, and Sevilla breaks the top six because I found on their young talent to return rejuvenated and more battle ready fro the Liga season.
Italian Serie A
1. AC Milan
2. Juventus
3. Napoli
4. Inter Milan
5. Roma
6. Lazio
Milan is still incomplete, but the signing of Ricardo Montolivo, in my opinion, could be one of the steals of the year. They're also retaining most of their core key players, such as Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Pato, and Thiago Silva. Look for them to add more attack force in the coming weeks. Juventus is a close second to Milan, and with a striker of their own, The Old Lady will easily take the first spot in my book. The defending champs signed Udinese pair Mauricio Isla and Kwadwo Asamoah recently, which covers up some weak spots and provides depth to a team that finished unbeaten in league play last year. Napoli has lost Lavezzi, but they're still expected to finish third for me, and management will without a doubt make a big move soon if the last few years is any indication. Inter is in turmoil and find themselves mostly selling despite having cohesion problems and holes in their starting 11, Roma needs to find some quality in the midfield and at striker (although they're notorious for waiting until the last minute to make their signings), and Lazio should retain enough to finish in the top six.
Milan is still incomplete, but the signing of Ricardo Montolivo, in my opinion, could be one of the steals of the year. They're also retaining most of their core key players, such as Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Pato, and Thiago Silva. Look for them to add more attack force in the coming weeks. Juventus is a close second to Milan, and with a striker of their own, The Old Lady will easily take the first spot in my book. The defending champs signed Udinese pair Mauricio Isla and Kwadwo Asamoah recently, which covers up some weak spots and provides depth to a team that finished unbeaten in league play last year. Napoli has lost Lavezzi, but they're still expected to finish third for me, and management will without a doubt make a big move soon if the last few years is any indication. Inter is in turmoil and find themselves mostly selling despite having cohesion problems and holes in their starting 11, Roma needs to find some quality in the midfield and at striker (although they're notorious for waiting until the last minute to make their signings), and Lazio should retain enough to finish in the top six.
German Bundasliga
1. Borussia Dortmund
2. Bayern Munich
3. Schalke 04
4. Bayer Leverkeusen
Without a doubt, Dortmund is the class of Germany. The two-time defending Bundasliga champs are proven winners and have a core of young players that are still getting better. They may have lost Kagawa to United, but some would argue his replacement, former Gladbach midfielder Marco Reus, is, in fact, an upgrade. Robert Lewandowski has been linked to Arsenal and Manchester United in recent weeks, but is still unlikely to leave. Bayern is a close second in Germany, especially after signing Mario Mandzuckic from Wolfsburg. With some good form and a little unselfish play from Arjen Robben (don't hold your breath), they could easily win the Bundasliga. Schalke trumps Leverkeusen for the three spot, especially after signing Switzerland international Tranquillo Barnetta for free from Leverkeusen last week to feed goal machine Klaas-Jan Huntelaar on the wing.
French Ligue 1
1. Paris Saint-Germain
2. LOSC Lille
3. Olympique Lyonnais
4. Olympique Marseille
PSG continues to make good move after good move, and with a good core of top class players and more likely to come, they should be able to win Ligue 1 this season. However, I feel they still need help in defense if they're to challenge in the Champions League. Lille, after losing Eden Hazard to Chelsea, instantly replied by signing France international Marvin Martin from Sochaux and Salomon Kalou for free from Chelsea. They're a year removed from winning the French league, so the talent is mostly still there. OL and OM should rebound after disappointing years and finish back in the top 4, although losing Hugo Lloris would damage Lyons chances mightily. Defending champion Montpelier is out of the list.
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Kevin Kryston
Host, Football Central with Matt and Kevin
Thursdays from 6-8 (Aug. thru April) on 99.5 and 98.1 WUDR Dayton Flyer Radio
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