In what is being billed as a rematch of the 2010 World Cup final, Spain will face off against Netherlands – surely the biggest game of the group stages. While Netherlands will be looking to take maximum points from the game, Spain will definitely make it tough for Netherlands to get away with their game-plan.
“I prefer to play football, not just to get the ball forward at the first opportunity. I try to wait for, or to create, the best opportunity for the right pass.” – Vicente del Bosque
Spain are expected to line up in their standard 4-2-3-1 formation, as Del Bosque prefers playing with a double pivot, in order to provide more control. However, they just might decide to go for a 4-3-3 in order to counter the Dutch. It also remains to be seen whether Spain decide to start with the balanced center-back pairing of Ramos & Pique or an aggressive duo of Ramos & Martinez. In their last friendly, against El Salvador, Spain started with Alonso, Koke and Fabregas in midfield – so Koke provides another option to Del Bosque in midfield. Else he always has the option to start with the aging but tested trio of Xavi, Busquets and Alonso. Pedro and Iniesta are most likely to be the wide forwards, unless del Bosque decides to bring in Silva to offer more creativity.