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Ruthless Spain keep Alonso believing
by Graham Hunter from Vienna
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Xabi Alonso and Fernando Torres play together
for club (Liverpool) and country (¿Getty Images)
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They may have arrived at UEFA EURO 2008T with an unwanted
reputation for not delivering on the biggest stages, yet Spain's new-found
ability to both control games and kill them off late on could provide
the spur for La Furia Roja to end their 44-year wait for a major trophy.
'Footballing maturity'
Seven of Spain's eleven goals in the finals have been scored in the last
half-hour, and six in the final 20 minutes including a last-gasp winner
against Sweden in Group D and two in the 3-0 defeat of Russia which ensured
it will be the Iberians who tackle Germany in Sunday's final. "The
fact that we keep on winning games in the second half or finishing fresher
than our opponents shows that we now know how to control games,"
said midfielder Xabi Alonso. "We're demonstrating a footballing maturity
and a slight change in our culture. I think we keep our patience a lot
longer in crucial matches and at this level that's a vital element. If
you have a plan and the players to implement it, then calm confidence
is the way to get winning results."
Tactical nous
Perhaps it is because coach Luis Aragones suffered the most painful defeat
of his playing career at the hands of FC Bayern Munchen that he has taught
his team to emulate the winning mentality of the Germans. Having opened
the scoring for Club Atletico de Madrid in the 1974 European Champion
Clubs' Cup final with six minutes of extra time to play, Aragones was
powerless to prevent Georg Schwarzenbeck equalising in the last minute.
Bayern twisted the knife in the replay two days later, winning 4-0. However,
it is also the case that Aragones is contributing to their success with
his tactical decisions. The timing of Cesc Fabregas's introductions to
matches have reaped three assists, one goal and a penalty shoot-out success;
changing the team against Greece brought a goal and an assist for Daniel
Guiza and the subsequent confidence for the RCD Mallorca striker to add
another goal against Russia.
'Taking the chances'
Santi Cazorla, another able to stretch games after coming on, said of
Aragones: "He is showing that he knows his squad well and when to
use us at the right time - it's not happening by luck, but is a tribute
to his work and judgement. When we win a game in the second half it's
because he's made all those who don't start a match feel an equal part
of this squad." Perhaps the final factor in Spain's successful run
is the one which has been available to all their coaches up to now but
is finally being used to devastating effect. "In the Russia game
the key was keeping the ball, making the Russians chase us and then hitting
hard when they tired," added Marcos Senna. "We're good on the
counter and right now we are taking the chances - hopefully we'll do it
again on Sunday."
Euro2008.com,
27 June 2008
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