Spain arrived in Qatar with grand goals of profitable a second World Cup, absolutely satisfied of their model of play, however departed early Wednesday, ruminating on an id disaster. La Roja final lifted a significant trophy a decade in the past at Euro 2012, whereas they haven’t received a single knockout sport on the World Cup since triumphing in South Africa in 2010. Luis Enrique’s facet huffed and puffed however couldn’t blow Morocco’s sturdy home down within the final 16 on Tuesday, falling 3-0 on penalties after 120 goalless minutes.
The north African facet made historical past by reaching the quarter-finals for the primary time, whereas Spain gazed forlornly again at theirs and should now marvel if it’s time to transfer on. They tried over 1,000 passes in opposition to Morocco however ended up with nothing to point out for it, forcing Yassine Bounou into just one save earlier than the shootout.
There he made two extra and Spain had been eradicated within the final 16 once more, simply as they had been in Russia 4 years in the past. “We dominated the sport however we lacked a objective,” lamented Luis Enrique. “We may have been more practical within the ultimate third, however I’m greater than happy with what my gamers did. They represented completely what my concept of soccer is.”
When Xavi and Andres Iniesta dominated the world, opponents had been largely nonetheless too naive to know to cease them, and so they had an excessive amount of high quality to be fended off for lengthy. Now solely really elite membership sides like Pep Guardiola’s Manchester Metropolis can succeed by dominating the ball solely — with maybe the world’s finest striker, Erling Haaland, because the spearhead. Towards Morocco, Luis Enrique left his prime scorer Alvaro Morata on the bench, opting as an alternative for Marco Asensio, whom he trusts extra to not lose the ball.
The coach buys “the whole pack” with regards to possession soccer, for higher or for worse. Which means there isn’t a Plan B, with Nico Williams’s tempo and directness on the proper flank as a lot of a nod as Luis Enrique will give to different concepts.
Gamers he left at residence like strikers Iago Aspas and Borja Iglesias might need been in a position to supply extra of a problem to Morocco’s glorious rearguard.
No stars
A component of Spain’s plan could also be borne of necessity. Nearly as good as midfielders Pedri and Gavi are, they nonetheless lack a decisive, common match-winner.
Within the absence of a Kylian Mbappe, a Lionel Messi, a Neymar, or perhaps a Harry Kane, the coach may consider ball domination and associative play is his staff’s finest weapon, even when it misfired within the desert.
Luis Enrique confirmed at Barcelona that when he had two of these forwards, plus Uruguay’s Luis Suarez, he was keen to play otherwise, relinquishing management and permitting the forwards to wreak havoc as his facet rolled with the punches.
“We had agreed to not take possession — not out of worry,” mentioned Morocco coach Walid Regragui, trying again at his facet’s victory.
As a substitute he made positive his midfield trio reduce passing strains and left Spain with tender domination, which hardly ever resulted in peril for his facet. Spain’s 7-0 thrashing of Costa Rica at first of the World Cup was lengthy forgotten by the tip, one of many uncommon events the place every part falls into place that maybe retains La Roja believing of their methodology.
The coach’s contract expires within the coming weeks and he’ll focus on his future with Spanish FA president Luis Rubiales subsequent week.
Whether or not the 52-year-old stays or leaves will probably be a sign of Spain’s path forward. If Luis Enrique continues to be the coach for Euro 2024, anticipate him to double down on his technique, whereas hoping gamers like Ansu Fati can step as much as turn out to be the decisive weapon within the ultimate third the staff is missing.
Ought to he depart, Spain may begin different methods, not less than in opposition to opponents savvy sufficient to maintain from being enveloped by La Roja’s passing net.
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