World's best (Spain) team called 'boring'

[Vincent.]

Shambolic defending? Hardly. Re-watch the passes by Iniesta and Xavi for the first and second goal respectively!

The defending for the second goal was indeed shambolic! For Jordi Alba to be able to make that off the ball run with not one Italian attempting to track him was criminal, CRIMINAL!!

Whilst it was a lovely pass from Xavi, Jordi Alba is allowed to run past not one, not two, but three Italian players without being tracked. That's simply unacceptable at ANY level.

The problem was not the run (the only way they could have stopped his run was to hack him down off the ball). The problem was Xavi - the way he held up the ball, waited for Alba's run, made that pass at the right time, and the accuracy of the pass. The trick is that Xavi (and Iniesta) places the pass just beyond the reach of the defender and simultaneously in the path of the runner (the same thing happened when Iniesta picked out Cesc's run before the first goal).

The only thing the Italians could have done was to tackle Xavi before he was able to make the pass or foul Alba before he got the pass. But the problem is you never know whether Alba would be picked out or whether he was just running to create space for Xavi to shoot.

[analyzer]

Shambolic defending? Hardly. Re-watch the passes by Iniesta and Xavi for the first and second goal respectively!

The defending for the second goal was indeed shambolic! For Jordi Alba to be able to make that off the ball run with not one Italian attempting to track him was criminal, CRIMINAL!!

Whilst it was a lovely pass from Xavi, Jordi Alba is allowed to run past not one, not two, but three Italian players without being tracked. That's simply unacceptable at ANY level.

The problem was not the run (the only way they could have stopped his run was to hack him down off the ball). The problem was Xavi - the way he held up the ball, waited for Alba's run, made that pass at the right time, and the accuracy of the pass. The trick is that Xavi (and Iniesta) places the pass just beyond the reach of the defender and simultaneously in the path of the runner (the same thing happened when Iniesta picked out Cesc's run before the first goal).

The only thing the Italians could have done was to tackle Xavi before he was able to make the pass or foul Alba before he got the pass. But the problem is you never know whether Alba would be picked out or whether he was just running to create space for Xavi to shoot.

No way.. Look at how far Xavi was.. He was like around the Center circle.. And xavi is not well know for long range efforts.... Reminds me of the Ramirez goal at Nou Camp... Taking nothing away from the play by the Spaniards, but it was also poor defending from the Italians.. Total lack of communication in defence (all ball watching). one of the italians stepped up thinking offside while the last man that Alba (tremendous effort) blew past could not even anticipate the pass..

The Pass to Cesc for the 1st goal was text book.. The mistake Chiellini made was committing to tackle too early and Cesc anticipated that perfectly.. Watch closely and you will see Chiellini stick out a leg tentatively thinking Cesc was crossing.. This allowed Cesc the opportunity to take the ball further and cut across chiellini slightly... Delivery was also excellent.. All Silva had to do was just show up as it almost looked like the ball bounced off Silva's head into the net..

[YUJAM]

I don't think the first goal was about speed. Rather it was about breaking the line with a through ball. And I don't believe Chiellini was injured at that point of the game..

On the second goal, the only way to stop the run was to foul the player..

Shambolic defending? Hardly. Re-watch the passes by Iniesta and Xavi for the first and second goal respectively!

Cassillas was the man of the match!

Andres Iniesta.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UEFA_Euro_2012_Final

And Player of the Tournament according to Alan Hansen.

How many saves did he make bros?

Spain were better but I feel Italy were let down by some shambolic defending and great keeping from Iker.

the pass was WC but I can bet that a fully fit Chiellini would have caught Cesc. As for the second goal, the les said the better, any one of three defenders could/should have twarted Alba.

[platinum]

Shambolic defending? Hardly. Re-watch the passes by Iniesta and Xavi for the first and second goal respectively!

The defending for the second goal was indeed shambolic! For Jordi Alba to be able to make that off the ball run with not one Italian attempting to track him was criminal, CRIMINAL!!

Whilst it was a lovely pass from Xavi, Jordi Alba is allowed to run past not one, not two, but three Italian players without being tracked. That's simply unacceptable at ANY level.

The problem was not the run (the only way they could have stopped his run was to hack him down off the ball). The problem was Xavi - the way he held up the ball, waited for Alba's run, made that pass at the right time, and the accuracy of the pass. The trick is that Xavi (and Iniesta) places the pass just beyond the reach of the defender and simultaneously in the path of the runner (the same thing happened when Iniesta picked out Cesc's run before the first goal).

The only thing the Italians could have done was to tackle Xavi before he was able to make the pass or foul Alba before he got the pass. But the problem is you never know whether Alba would be picked out or whether he was just running to create space for Xavi to shoot.

Xavi...the master of doing the simple things others can't do. The simplicity of that 2nd goal was amazing. It's video game stuff...everyone with a little sense who saw the game was thinking "watch the run, watch the run!!!"...i think the only option was barging Jordi Alba to slow his run or just stopping him altogether and taking the yellow card. No way they would have dispossessed Xavi.

@Yujam, word is Chiellini wasnt fit and shouldnt have started, they pushed their luck there. A fit Chiellini wouldnt have made a damn difference anyway...not in the mood the Spaniards were in! All tournament they coasted, I remember complaining about how they were actually killing chances to counter attack by just passing and circulating the ball, they would choose to pass back instead of going forward...well, yesterday we got to see what happens when they hit the gas, they have no rivals. It helped that Italy came to play too.

Viva Espana...