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Spain, Holland have been pleasing

Good matches have solidified the stature of the event, writes Cesar Luis Menotti

What started off as a light breeze has turned into a favourable wind, allowing us to see good matches in the second phase of the group stage of Euro 2008 — especially the encounter between Holland and France — which serve to strengthen the expectations of good play and to solidify the stature of the event.

Spain is still struggling to sparkle, but it pleases, satisfies. Against Sweden, a typical game developed in which one side, Spain, started from a certain style based on the characteristics of the players, while the other, Sweden, adopted the attitude that "they play very well, so we are not going to let them play".

Going beyond the fact that Spain is still waiting for some of its players to achieve the brilliance they are capable of, it continues to base its search on good play. And it possesses two lethal strikers, Villa and Torres.

Deficiencies

But even so, we can detect deficiencies. First of all, it has yet to find the small partnerships which, through technique and individual skills, would permit it to approach that efficiency which grows and strengthens through practice.

Secondly, it has a defect in the defence which must be corrected when it meets opponents with more effective means of attack.

The Spaniards do not excel in man-to-man marking and, over the final 20 metres, they fail to reduce the spaces in the excellent way the Dutch do. You can place your money on footballers who are not used to defending but know how to narrow down spaces. Spain has trouble doing this.

Good win

This Spanish victory cannot be faulted. They won well. Above all, their presence on the field has a certain authority, for the Spaniards are footballers who know how to play the game.

It was very difficult for them to achieve the result, because Iniesta and Xavi have failed to establish the necessary partnerships with the two strikers, but the Spaniards have shown enough to be among the candidates for the title.

Holland, like France, made excellent use of the width of the field. The only difference that stood out for Holland was how it reduced the spaces when the opponents had the ball, in accordance with the rules. This reduction of the spaces available made it difficult for the French to move freely. France, on the other hand, left too much space open while defending.

Great match

It was a great football match and a homage to this prestigious event. We might mention luck. It exists. It is present in all action. Every action has elements of fortune, chance, initiative, decision, awareness of risk. Holland managed them all. Even luck, which if present this time was just and deserved.

Portugal qualified comfortably. Pointing out what I have always said: it seems to be a good team. It seems to play well. It always seems to. And in order to stop seeming and start being, it should redefine its team play.

Footballers with excellent technique, physical strength, skill — all this used to reinforce the collective idea would without a doubt make it a stronger candidate.

Genes of a star…

Cristiano Ronaldo is the player with the greatest qualities in the world. Skilful, strong, he kicks the ball with both feet like no other, heads it with the best. He has the genes of a star, but he is unable to transfer all this to the collective game. When he receives the ball he counts, and if fewer than four opponents are nearby, he takes them on directly; if the number exceeds four, he passes to the closest teammate and then watches.

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