Spain World Cup Preview

Find out more about World Soccer magazine's online subscription offer.

F RAUL Q&A Which of your teammates should people look out for at the finals? We've got a lot of good players who, in the past, have not played as well as they could, myself included. We hope to do better this time. We qualified easily, and our coach, Jose Camacho, is on top of the job. The team is a mixture of youth and experience. We enjoy playing together but we enjoy winning even more, of course. What stage do people back home expect you to reach? With a little bit of luck we can go a long way, and then, who knows? It's about time we did well. Spain have never got the results they deserved at the World Cup. I don't know why. Bad luck at critical moments and a lack of confidence. If you don't win the World Cup, who will? Realistically, there are only six or seven teams who could win it. France are one of those teams who have developed the knack of winning even when they play badly. We lost to them in the quarterfinals of the European Championship even though we were the better team on the day. Is there too much money in football? No! Whatever we earn, we earn because of what we do on the pitch. Players don't have the power to change these things.

How they line up

Unlike Javier Clemente, Jose Camacho tends to use players in their natural positions. Like his predecessor, he is an inveterate tinkerer with formations. Spain will use a flat back four. Otherwise, it's anybody's guess.

In recent friendlies Camacho has started with 4-4-2, using two midfield ball-winners (Ivan Helguera and Sergio against Holland, Ruben Baraja and David Albelda against Northern Ireland) and two wide men (Joaquin and Francisco Javier De Pedro). If the coach opts to fit creative triangle Juan Carlos Valeron, Raul and Diego Tristan into the same 11, one or both wingers could lose out.

Camacho is also toying with the idea of using a more physical starting line-up before unleashing his creative players on tiring opponents after the break. Iker Casillas' fall from grace at Real Madrid has solved one of Camacho's biggest dilemmas: who plays in goal? Barring last minute surprises, Santiago Canizares will be No. 1 for the first time at his third World Cup. Valencia's keeper is the more imposing character but, ironically, the fleet-footed Casillas is more comfortable operating as a pseudo-sweeper behind ponderous center-backs Fernando Hierro and Nadal, and is peerless in one-on-one situations.

The intimidating Hierro is a canny reader of the game, but he struggles badly against pace. Nadal is a Hierro clone without his partner's eye for goal or a telling long pass. The foul-prone Cesar is a central defensive option, while Camacho could also use Helguera alongside Hierro, as Real Madrid do.

Manuel Pablo's injury leaves the robust Carles Puyol as first-choice right-back. Curro Torres is a more articulate player going forward and could play if Camacho uses Puyol at center-half. Sergi's lack of fitness means Celta reserve Juanfran is the probable starter at left-back.

In midfield, Camacho admits that Joaquin is Spain's best crosser but Luis Enrique is on a scoring roll for Barcelona, and Camacho loves his winning spirit. If Camacho gambles on the rusty Josep Guardiola at Valeron's expense, Spain gain in leadership qualities but lose creativity and thrust. Baraja and Sergio are both tireless ball-winners who pack a powerful long-range shot. Baraja is also dangerous in the air.

Vicente's place on the left is no longer certain with Kily Gonzalez starting for Valencia. Meanwhile, Camacho refuses to rule out Real Madrid bit-player Pedro Munitis. The Spanish League's assist leader De Pedro (Real Sociedad) started Spain's last two games on the left.

Camacho's joker is Gaizka Mendieta. Lazio might not have found a role for the former Valencia captain, but he's the only Spaniard comfortable in any midfield position. Valencia's tenacious defensive pivot Albelda and Barça playmaker Xavi are also contenders.

Up front, Camacho has only one decision: Diego Tristan or Fernando Morientes alongside Raul? If Spain use wingers, expect more traditional target man Morientes to start. If not, people's choice Tristan should get the nod. Unlike Morientes, the Depor striker can create his own chances.

From World Soccer magazine.

 

Related information

Stories

World Soccer World Cup Team Previews

Stats

Spain World Cup Team Page

Multimedia

Visit Video Plus for the latest audio and video