Spain's Transformation

New era in Spanish football

---

Spain are in a new era. For the first time in a while Spain have looked convincing at a major tournament and are right now the favorites to win the Euros, (unless you ask an England fan). This is the standard for Spanish football yet they have failed to live up to in recent memory. Since winning the Euros in 2008 and 2012 with a World Cup in between in 2010, this is what Spain have done at major tournaments…

2014 World Cup - Out in Group Stage (finished 3rd)

2016 Euros-Out in Round of 16 (vs Italy)

2018 World Cup-Out in Round of 16 (vs Russia)

2020 Euros-Out in Semi-Final (vs Italy)

2022 World Cup-Out in Round of 16 (vs Morocco)

Spain is currently 8th in the FIFA World Rankings and has sat inside the top 15 for more than a decade. Only getting past the round of 16 once in the last 5 major tournaments is certainly not top 10-worthy. It seems crazy to think that Spain were headed for a group state exit just 2 years after winning the 2012 Euros and completing one of the best international periods in history. Spain’s “Golden Generation” featured the likes of Ramos, Pique, Xabi Alonso, Xavi, Busquets, David Villa, Iniesta, and Ilker Casillas. These are just some of the names the created one of the best international teams ever assembled.

Making a Change

It is difficult to top a generation like that and the results they produced. It was clear the new Spanish generation struggled with this task. Sure there were some good players like Morata and Koke but it seemed like they were relying on the older players who were past their prime. Their were some breakout stars like Asensio, Isco, and Lucas Vazquez. However these players never solidified themselves as stars in the national team. Now it is clear that Spain have learned their lesson after recent major tournament failures.

Here is the lineup that Spain featured in their 2018 round of 16 exit to Russia

Diego Costa

Isco David Silva Asensio

Busquets Koke

Jordi Alba Ramos Pique Nacho

De Gea

Here is the lineup that Spain featured in their most recent match against Germany

Nico Williams Morata Yamal

Fabian Ruiz Rodri Pedri

Cucurella Laporte Le Normand Carvajal

Unai Simon

The players in bold are 25 or younger at the time of the tournament. In 2018 there was only one, Asensio. However now there are four lead by 16 year old prodigy Lamine Yamal. It is clear this team has undergone a massive transformation. While players like Pique, Nacho, and Busquets are icons and have unbelievable resumes at both the club and international level it became evident that Spain could no longer rely on these players. France have embraced their youth and have reached two of the last World Cup finals.

Under Enrique there was some youth getting involved in Qatar but under de la Fuente the transformation has been complete. Just being a big name in Spain doesn’t mean you get into the team anymore. De la Fuente doesn’t care about experience as much as he does skill and performance. Yamal had a good season for Barca and therefore got into the team and has lit up the Euro stage. I don’t know how many other managers would feel comfortable throwing a 16 year old right in. However de la Fuente has and it has paid off with the teenager recording several assists thus far. Another thing de la Fuente has done is develop a team identity. He has embraced the tiki-taka style of football made famous by Pep Guardiola at Barcelona and the product on the field has been more effective and more attractive. He also put an emphasis on wing play and crosses utilizing two of the squads most talented players in Yamal and Nico Williams. Unlike previous Spain team’s de la Fuente has not been to attached to tiki-taka and has been comfortable embracing new ideas, even if it means not having the ball as much.

The manager is also confident in his squad saying this before the Germany game.

“My players are the best in the world!”

Unlike many teams de la Fuente has the performances to back this claim up.

Thanks for reading Football Wrapped! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.