Since entering the 21st century, the Chinese soccer field has long taken Spain as a teacher, from the national football team manager to club head coaches to foreign coaches at the grassroots level, the figure of Spaniards is ubiquitous.
However, Spain is not traditionally a soccer powerhouse. Before the triple glory of Euro 2008, World Cup 2010 and World Cup 2012, their best performance was limited to winning a major tournament as hosts in 1964. Although Real Madrid and Barcelona have enjoyed a great deal of success in the Champions League, in many cases their glory has been due to the contribution of foreign players.
Spain's performance in two consecutive World Cups in 2014 and 2018 was disappointing. With veterans such as Puyol, Xavi, Iniesta, Casillas, Torres and others dropping out of the national team, the Bulldogs lost their competitiveness.
On May 24, Enrique unveiled his 24-man roster for the Europa League, and the biggest difference compared to the past is the absence of star center back Ramos.
Spanish team
Nickname: Matador
Founded: 1913
Top honors: 2010 World Cup Champion, 1964, 2008, 2012 Euro Champion, 1992 Olympic Football Champion
FIFA Ranking: 6
Manager: Enrique
In Euro 1964, as hosts, Spain managed to win the title, which was the first time in their history that they had won the World Championship. But after that, until 2008, the best result of the European Cup was only the runner-up in 1984, and repeatedly failed to enter the main round.
Before winning the World Cup in 2010, their best result was a runner-up finish in 1950, and they were also out of the World Cup in the qualifiers or group stage many times. 2006 World Cup only made it to the round of 16. With the opening of Barcelona's "Dream II Dynasty", Spain briefly slumped, and then quickly entered the "Dream III Dynasty" era, Barcelona players began to become the core of the national team.
During the double domination of La Liga and UEFA Champions League under Guardiola's coaching, Barcelona's team was dominated by Spanish homegrown players in a number of positions, except for the number one player, Lionel Messi, who is Argentinean. It was only natural for Spain to win three consecutive European Cups and World Cups from 2008 to 2012. Of course, Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid players also contributed, such as Casillas and Ramos in the back line, and Fernando Torres in the forward line.
Subsequently, with Puyol, Harvey, Iniesta and other Barcelona players aged or left the team, "dream three dynasty" era came to an end, Spain is difficult to make a difference in the competition.
Real Madrid, Barcelona and Atletico Madrid are now losing competitiveness in the Champions League, with a lack of strong foreign players and a shortage of local players. The Spanish national team is also the old old, the small small, the old is no longer in the peak period, the small still need time to refine.
Boss: Barcelona's five-title-winning manager faces challenges with Spanish national team
As the manager of Barcelona, Enrique had led the team to win the La Liga, Champions League and Copa del Rey in the 2014-15 season, proving that he has the strength. Some may say that he benefited from the presence of Lionel Messi in his squad, as well as Neymar and Suarez. But look at the later Valverde, Setien, Coman and others to bring Barcelona into what kind of, know Enrique's achievements is not easy.
After Enrique left his post, Barcelona invested more than 500 million euros in reinforcements in the offensive line, but it is difficult to make a difference again.
Formation: overall mediocre, Ramos' role limited
For this Europa League, no Real Madrid players were selected, Barcelona had three, Busquets, Alba and Pedri, and Atletico Madrid had two, Marcos Llorente and Koke. Ferran Torres, who plays for Manchester City, Rodri, Laporte, Garcia, and Manchester United's David De Gea were also selected.
Add a Ramos, the effect is not obvious. There is no denying the contribution of the Real Madrid center back in the Spanish national team, but this season in Real Madrid due to injury rest too much, the state is also unstable. 2014 and 2018, as the main force of Ramos can only watch Spain in the group stage of the World Cup and the 1/8 finals out of the game.
Lacking strong men like Xavi, Iniesta, Torres, and Villa in the midfield, the team can't be led to victory by individual stars in the backline alone.
Winner: Morata
This time, the Spanish forward line, not only no Torres, Villa, but also no fierce general like Diego Costa. 90 after Morata has been counted as a veteran.
Morata career bounced around Real Madrid, Juve, Chelsea, Atletico Madrid and many other giants, but never counted as a top striker. The national team career, 2014 World Cup for the first time selected, Spain group out. 2016 Euro also participated, Spain in the 1/8 final out. 2018 World Cup, Morata fell out.
Judging from his games with Juve this season, Morata is not the kind of player who can turn a game around with his individual ability.
On the forward line, perhaps Ferran Torres after 00 can bring more surprises. With seven goals in the Premier League this season, Ferran Torres scored a hat-trick in Spain's 6:0 win over Germany in the final round of the UEFA Europa League group stage, helping Spain reach the semifinals.
Prospects: opponents are not top teams, not much problem to get out of the group
Previously, when the competition was dominant, Spain mainly relied on players from Barcelona and Real Madrid, with the offense relying on Barcelona and the defense relying on Real Madrid. This time it can be said that they are not relying on both. But for Enrique's team, there may instead be no pressure.
Spain is grouped with Poland, Slovakia and Sweden. Sweden and Slovakia are not top-notch teams, and Poland is relying solely on the name bluff of Levan, but it may not really be a bluff. 2018 World Cup, Levan-led Poland's group exit is not as bad as that of Spain, which is in the midst of a decline.
