Spain’s defence of their World Cup crown begins in Salvador tonight when Vicente Del Bosque’s world champions face the Netherlands at the Arena Fonte Nova in a repeat of the 2010 World Cup final in South Africa.
La Roja won the World Cup for the first time four years ago, when they defeated Bert van Marwijk’s Dutch side in an ill-tempered scrap of a final in Johannesburg, thanks to Andres Iniesta’s exquisite finish with four minutes of extra-time remaining.
No fewer than 16 of Del Bosque’s winning side from Johannesburg – Iker Casillas, Pepe Reina, Sergio Ramos, Raul Albiol, Gerard Pique, Javi Martinez, Sergio Busquets, Xabi Alonso, Cesc Fabregas, Xavi Hernandez, Pedro Rodriguez, Juan Mata, David Silva, David Villa, Fernando Torres and Iniesta – have travelled to Brazil and plenty of them could feature against the Dutch in Salvador.
Friday’s match is likely to be very different from the 2010 final, however. Referee Howard Webb showed the yellow card 14 times that night – more than doubling the previous record for a final, set when Argentina and West Germany shared six in 1986 – and red-carded Johnny Heitinga as the Dutch were reduced to 10 men.
Del Bosque has given little away with regard to his starting XI against, but has hinted that he may be prepared to adjust his team’s style away from their trademark tiki-taka possession and passing game, should circumstances dictate. He may need to do just that, both to adapt to the conditions and to nullify the threat of a potent Dutch attack.
Captain Casillas is likely to start against the Netherlands, despite being second choice between the posts for Real Madrid for most of the season just finished. In contrast, many of his teammates have had long, hard campaigns for their clubs and, coupled with the heat and humidity at altitude, could find Brazil a physical challenge.
The Netherlands will be in a similar situation and former Barcelona and Bayern Munich Coach Louis van Gaal is an experienced campaigner with top stars such as Arjen Robben, Robin van Persie and Wesley Sneijder all capable of posing a threat to the Spanish defence with a dangerous counter-attacking approach.
Real Madrid defender Ramos is likely to feature in central defence alongside Barcelona’s Pique, but Javi Martinez, who played under van Gaal at Bayern Munich, provides an option for an alternative pairing. Chelsea’s Cesar Azpilicueta and Jordi Alba of Barcelona are Del Bosque’s first choice full-backs and Alba in particular will need his pace against the explosive Robben.
Spain’s strength lies in the midfield where, despite their advancing years, Xavi, Iniesta, Alonso and Fabregas, supplemented by Arsenal’s Santi Cazorla and Koke of Atletico Madrid, provide perhaps the strongest set of playmakers in any World Cup squad, even without the option of Thiago Alcantara.
Just how that midfield functions against the Dutch will depend on how Del Bosque sets his side up to attack. With out-and-out striking options limited to the unproven Diego Costa, the inconsistent Fernando Torres and the ageing David Villa, the Coach could return to a false nine formation with two from Silva, Pedro and Mata playing off Fabregas, or perhaps Cazorla.
A winning start is not a pre-requisite to winning the World Cup, as Spain showed with an opening defeat to Switzerland four years ago. Against high calibre opponents, however, victory will get their campaign off to a perfect start.
