Spain praises its spectacular Silva, part of the ‘art gang’ that can play strikerless
Wednesday 12 October 2011
“Spain, already top of the world, also treads the top of history, together with the Netherlands and France, unique teams that have hung a string of 14 consecutive competitive victories.
“They stopped there. For us, it is at the Euros where we can stretch the world record,” opened Luis Nieto of AS as Spain wrapped a perfect qualification record with a 3-1 win over Scotland on Tuesday night.
Nieto, who is one of many to have followed la Roja through qualification, drew attention to Vicente Del Bosque’s tactics that abandoned the use of a traditional striker.
“The game confirmed the suspicion that Spain feels comfortable without a No 9. The time Del Bosque forgot what has been said, spared [Fernando] Torres and [Fernando] Llorente and returned to the first chapter of this extraordinary adventure - one midfielder and five small geniuses ahead, the art gang.”
Marca focused more on who was on the pitch than who perhaps wasn’t, highlighting the dilemma David Silva’s continued form for club and country poses for Del Bosque.
As Santiago Siguero wrote, “Silva transferred his spectacular start to the Premier League season to la Seleccion. His football and his goals dismount delusional theories that players struggle to adapt to competitions and cultures from different football countries.
“If ever there was a country where a lightweight and technical player would struggle, that is England. At City, Silva has played well from the first minute of the game. The same, incidentally, has almost always been the same with Spain.
El Mundo’s Miguel A. Herguedas took a similar stance as Siguero, writing, “Three weeks ago he spoke out against Del Bosque, and as if to prove his famous left foot, he was then placed in the team in Prague and Alicante.
“David Silva has the confidence of his Coach and his football has flourished, the perfect synthesis of Spain’s domination as champions and favourites for Euro 2012.”
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