The 2014-15 season for Spain was one which saw the side slip to 11th in the FIFA world rankings, and Vicente del Bosque’s squad were without question some way short of the mesmerising football that dominated the international stage for four years, winning two European Championships and a World Cup in the process.
With Xavi Hernandez and Xabi Alonso retiring from international football before the start of the last campaign, 2014-15 was always going to be a transitional and, ultimately, tough year for La Roja, and this was plain to see after the 2-1 defeat in Slovakia in October 2014. Despite dominating possession, Spain seemed to run out of ideas at times, with Diego Costa’s integration into a less direct style of play ostensibly taking a lot longer than Del Bosque would have hoped.
The defeat at the hands of the Slovaks resulted in Spain falling off the pace prematurely in their qualifying group. They remain three points behind Slovakia in second place after Jan Kozak’s men went on to win every qualifying game in Group C, an admirable achievement.
The sides will meet again in Oviedo on September 5 to potentially decide who tops the group and qualifies for Euro 2016 automatically in what will be a vital game.
The asphyxiating nature with which Spain’s opposition defend against their possession-based style makes it exceptionally difficult for Del Bosque’s team to score, and it is imperative that the single goal Costa managed last term is improved upon, with Alvaro Morata and Paco Alcacer also vying for a starting spot.
Certain people believe that La Roja have lost their identity, but there is no doubt that the technical supremacy that led them to subjugate world football has not deserted them. Thiago Alcantara is an example of this technical excellence that Spanish players possess and after missing the majority of the year through injury, his presence in the squad will be embraced.
The midfielder is an exceptional talent but has been plagued by injury in the early stages of his career, so 2015-16 could be the season where he finally leaves his mark on the senior national team. Another vital young player for Spain will be Isco, whose unpredictability could be the key to unlocking those aforementioned barricaded defences.
There are a number of players who will be looking at a permanent place in the squad before Euro 2016 – players such Nolito, Vitolo and Mikel San Jose, who all received call-ups last year but remain on the fringes of the set-up.
Surely be hoping for his first senior call-up is Ander Herrera, who enjoyed a prosperous second half of the season at Manchester United. The strength in depth of Spain’s midfield, though, is peerless.
It’s also time for the Under-21 side that won Euro 2011 to step up and become senior squad members, and it will be immensely intriguing to see the extent of the influence Thiago has on the side. The current leaders in the dressing room, however, including Gerard Pique, Sergio Ramos and Andres Iniesta, will be just as crucial in leading the team forward with their experience and know-how in must-win games.
The main aim for Del Bosque will be gaining automatic qualification for Euro 2016, with crunch games against Slovakia and Ukraine on the horizon. After losses to France, Germany and Netherlands in recent friendlies, Spain will definitely not be favourites to retain their European crown, but in what may be Del Bosque’s final tournament as Coach, the players will want to give him a fitting send off in France.
