So evolution has taken it’s toll, the scalp has been claimed, the fear factor lost.
The Confederations Cup proved to be an impressive warm up to next years spectacle in Rio, the much feared tika taka was proven not to be so frightening if you turn up armed with nearly 80,000 fans singing their lungs out for the Brazilian cause, searing heat, a few extraordinarily talented players and an endless supply of energy. The record breaking Spanish side appears to be coming to an end, to start with a short examination as to how all those records were smashed up.
To begin with we have the extraordinary Xavier Hernández i Creus, or Xavi as we know him. His passing ability has earned him the nickname The Puppet Master, for any neutral fan his inconveivably accurate passing is a mouth watering experience, Andrés Iniesta Luján expressing his ballon d’or category talents alongside, and the obvious Xavi Alonso dictating the pace in which these happenings are happening.
As we all know football exists in cyles, so who is to appear to start a new one.
Step in Francisco Román Alarcón Suárez, or Isco. Much seen as the man to fill the iniesta shaped hole in the Spanish team he is armed with a vision and passing ability reminiscent of the great Zinedane Zidane, sold to Real Madrid for a cool 30 million euro’s, the eye watering price tag arguably suited to his proven talent. Next on the supply line is Thiago Alcântara do Nascimento, freshly of Bayern Munich status Thiago commanded the worlds attention following his connoisseur’s hat-trick’ at the U21 Euro’s. Beautifully precise passing coupled with a calm and composed approach he is seen to be a photocopy of the seasoned Xavi. Lastly we have Asier Illarramendi Andonegi, the defensive midfielder offers an almost expert like technical ability, providing protection for the defence coupled with the connecting link to the midfield.
So with just these 3 technicians stepping into the limelight the golden era of Spanish football has the potential to continue for a long time to come. Complaining? Not me.