Spain Soccer squad analysis

 Spain fans placed lot of hopes on their team after a long time. These “chokers at big tournaments” shed their tag after winning 2008 EURO but regained chokers tag after losing in semi-finals of Confederations cup. Despite producing many great talents, Spain never reached finals of FIFA world cup. But, their performance in qualifying matches and in friendlies raised hopes of fans. Spain has world class players in all places and is in roaring form. Group H: Spain, Chile, Honduras and Switzerland FIFA Ranking: 2 Squad ranking: 9/10 (Best team in world) Qualification: They are the best performing team in entire qualifying round. They won all 10 games by scoring 28 goals. World cup history: Spain is the biggest choker at world cup. Their best performance is semi-finals that too in 1950. This is the thirteenth world cup for Spanish Armada. Warm-up matches: 1. Missing stars: Marcos Senna, Alvaro Negredo, Santi Cazorla and Diego Lopez Coach: Vicente Del Bosque  Spain soccer squad for 2010 FIFA World cup: Goal keepers: 1. Iker Casillas: Despite marginal drop in form in last few months, Saint is world class and he is an inspirational leader on field. 2. Pepe Raina: Liverpool may be in tatters but Reina is rock. 3. Victor Valdes: Barcelona goal keeper is most underrated player due to lack of charisma like Saint Iker. Defenders: 1. Carles Puyol: Inspirational and passionate footballer. 2. Sergio Ramos: Spanish legend is its strength and weakness. He needs to control his forward instincts for team. 3. Gerard Pique: Stable and composed defender. 4. Joan Capdevila: He always play well for Spain. 5. Raul Albiol: 6. Alvaro Arbeola: 7. Carlos Marchena: Mid-Fielders: 1. Xavi: Best mid-fielder in contemporary football along with Frank Lampard. Best passer, most consistent player and visionary. 2. Cesc Fabregas: 3. Andres Iniesta: 4. Javi Martinez: 5. David Silva: 6. Sergio Busquets: 7. Xabi … [Read more...]

Italy world cup squad

 Italy team for 2010 FIFA world cup: Coach: Marcello Lippi Captain: Fabio Cannavaro Squad rating: 7/10 Group F: Italy, Paraguay, Slovakia and New Zealand Missing stars: You can prepare a world class team with dropped players. Highlight: Italy is defending champion. Worst moment: Exited from group stage in 2009 Confederations cup. Predictions: May lose to Spain in quarterfinals. This team is looking aged and short on form. It should win group otherwise Holland will defeat it in second round.  2010 World cup Squad: NameAgeRankClub (Country)    Goalkeepers:   1. Gianluigi Buffon   Juventus 2. Morgan De Sanctis   Napoli 3. Federico Marchetti   Cagliari     Defenders:   1. Fabio Cannavaro   Juventus 2. Giorgio Chiellini    Juventus 3. Salvatore Bocchetti   Genoa 4. Leonardo Bonucci   Bari 5. Christian Maggio   Napoli 6. Gianluca Zambrotta   AC Milan 7. Domenico Criscito   Genoa          Midfielders:   1. Andrea Pirlo   AC Milan 2. Claudio Marchisio    Juventus 3. Daniele De Rossi   Roma 4. Gennaro Gattuso   AC Milan 5. Mauro Camoranesi   Juventus 6. Riccardo Montolivo   Fiorentina 7. Angelo Palombo   Sampdoria 8. Simone Pepe   Udinese     Forwards:   1. Antonio Di … [Read more...]