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| World Cup 2014: del Bosque damaged by second Spanish calamity | |
| (about 11 hours later) | |
| The apology, from an experienced professor of football watching his world champions go home early with a wooden spoon, was delivered with galling candour: “If a team shows up at an important game with terror in its heart and head and legs, it must mean the coach did not train them as he should have done.” Those words belonged to Marcello Lippi, the coach of the Italian squad which conquered the 2006 World Cup and exited the 2010 edition like startled kittens. | The apology, from an experienced professor of football watching his world champions go home early with a wooden spoon, was delivered with galling candour: “If a team shows up at an important game with terror in its heart and head and legs, it must mean the coach did not train them as he should have done.” Those words belonged to Marcello Lippi, the coach of the Italian squad which conquered the 2006 World Cup and exited the 2010 edition like startled kittens. |
| What pained thoughts must have echoed through the mind of Vicente del Bosque as he surveyed the wreckage of Spain’s campaign – after not three games but three halves of football. At half-time, outpaced and outsmarted by exuberant Chile, this dignified coach who has presided over a historic era looked utterly flummoxed. | What pained thoughts must have echoed through the mind of Vicente del Bosque as he surveyed the wreckage of Spain’s campaign – after not three games but three halves of football. At half-time, outpaced and outsmarted by exuberant Chile, this dignified coach who has presided over a historic era looked utterly flummoxed. |
| The fundamental thing you want as a manager after the kind of calamity Spain served up in their opening game against Holland is a reaction. But this particular wounded animal cowered. Their damage cut too deep. The words that came out of the camp about the team being stung into action after their shocking start to the tournament rang hollow. Del Bosque had discussed what he described as “controlled anxiety” as if it was a positive of sorts, something that could erase complacency. But there was far too much anxiety and nowhere near enough control. | The fundamental thing you want as a manager after the kind of calamity Spain served up in their opening game against Holland is a reaction. But this particular wounded animal cowered. Their damage cut too deep. The words that came out of the camp about the team being stung into action after their shocking start to the tournament rang hollow. Del Bosque had discussed what he described as “controlled anxiety” as if it was a positive of sorts, something that could erase complacency. But there was far too much anxiety and nowhere near enough control. |
| He rang changes. Xavi and Gerard Piqué paid the price for the collective lethargy when Spain were bewitched by Holland. Standing down the vice-captain, the metronome, who has not been omitted for a tournament match since a 2-1 victory over Greece in the group stage at the 2008 European Championship when Spain had already safely qualified for the knock-outs, seemed a landmark moment – albeit an understandable one. | He rang changes. Xavi and Gerard Piqué paid the price for the collective lethargy when Spain were bewitched by Holland. Standing down the vice-captain, the metronome, who has not been omitted for a tournament match since a 2-1 victory over Greece in the group stage at the 2008 European Championship when Spain had already safely qualified for the knock-outs, seemed a landmark moment – albeit an understandable one. |
| The rejigged rearguard, with Javi Martínez slotting in alongside Sergio Ramos, wobbled instantly. It was anything but reassuring. Briefly Spain eased into something approaching their regular rhythm before another panicked intake of collective defensive breath allowed Chile to plunder. Jorge Sampaoli’s team of attacking assassins raided with rapier sharpness and speed. | The rejigged rearguard, with Javi Martínez slotting in alongside Sergio Ramos, wobbled instantly. It was anything but reassuring. Briefly Spain eased into something approaching their regular rhythm before another panicked intake of collective defensive breath allowed Chile to plunder. Jorge Sampaoli’s team of attacking assassins raided with rapier sharpness and speed. |
| Oh, Iker Casillas. Having poured his heart out to his team-mates after the Dutch horror show, he was committed, then outwitted by Eduardo Vargas. Fetching the ball from his net again, Spain’s players looked burdened. Compared to the absolute control Spain exerted in their pomp, this was like listening to a symphony with the sound down. | Oh, Iker Casillas. Having poured his heart out to his team-mates after the Dutch horror show, he was committed, then outwitted by Eduardo Vargas. Fetching the ball from his net again, Spain’s players looked burdened. Compared to the absolute control Spain exerted in their pomp, this was like listening to a symphony with the sound down. |
| Chile went for the jugular again. Casillas was embarrassed as he punched Alexis Sánchez’s looping free-kick for Charles Aránguiz to apply a dazzling finishing touch. Seven goals conceded in 135 minutes of tournament football for Spain? How was that even possible? In the two focal point positions of goalkeeper and centre-forward, where Diego Costa loitered as if in some kind of daze, Del Bosque’s choices were disastrous. | Chile went for the jugular again. Casillas was embarrassed as he punched Alexis Sánchez’s looping free-kick for Charles Aránguiz to apply a dazzling finishing touch. Seven goals conceded in 135 minutes of tournament football for Spain? How was that even possible? In the two focal point positions of goalkeeper and centre-forward, where Diego Costa loitered as if in some kind of daze, Del Bosque’s choices were disastrous. |
| It certainly looked like an epochal moment. For the team, and also its coach. The 1st Marquis of Del Bosque is the only football don to have the World Cup, European Championship and Champions League on his managerial CV. But in this tournament his team have been outrageously exposed. The default hangdog visage never seemed more appropriate.. | It certainly looked like an epochal moment. For the team, and also its coach. The 1st Marquis of Del Bosque is the only football don to have the World Cup, European Championship and Champions League on his managerial CV. But in this tournament his team have been outrageously exposed. The default hangdog visage never seemed more appropriate.. |
| He covered his head with his hands, then applauded gently, in the second half when Spain squandered glaring invitations to score. | He covered his head with his hands, then applauded gently, in the second half when Spain squandered glaring invitations to score. |
| Del Bosque had inherited a team of tournament winners from Luis Aragonés, and guided them flawlessly for four years. The question of whether he will be granted the opportunity to rebuild, to regenerate a group of uber-experienced veterans is moot, and no doubt linked with the situation this summer. It has been an unforgettable Brazilian misadventure. | Del Bosque had inherited a team of tournament winners from Luis Aragonés, and guided them flawlessly for four years. The question of whether he will be granted the opportunity to rebuild, to regenerate a group of uber-experienced veterans is moot, and no doubt linked with the situation this summer. It has been an unforgettable Brazilian misadventure. |