I think that Xavi speaks for all of us...

[flywoman]

...not just during Ramos' well-intentioned penalty kick, but during pretty much all of yesterday's match. They took us through the torture of the semifinal against Italy, and then between little rest for aging legs, Brazilian brutality conveniently overlooked by the ref, a superb save by David Luiz, and more than their share of bad luck, they lost the final 3-0. And Xavi, being a bigger man than I am, simply stated that while Spain had really wanted to play a good game, they failed to show up.

Comments

[sageharper.livejournal.com]

Yes, I totally thought that too. Xavi is my spirit animal.

Even in the Italy game they seemed completely knackered (let's face it, if Sese had really tried that ball would on the moon right now), and then to play the hosts at home. I'm not panicking that it's end of an era or anything. Just can see that clearly they need to rest and regroup and rotate (at a club level as much as internationals).

Oh well, at least we know what Neymar can do to Madridistas; that's reassuring for next season.

[flywoman.livejournal.com]

Yes, well, playing 120 minutes and penalties, and then not getting as many days to rest, and then playing the hosts at home, plus having a ref who obviously planned not to give the home team any cards... it was doomed from the start.

But I also agree with you that there should have been more rotation. If we're going to keep our veterans playing tournament after tournament, we need to handle them with care during the matches.

But YES, I have to say that I am much more excited now about Neymar coming than I was before - he will eat Arbeloa for lunch. (As long as Leo is willing to share the spotlight with him.)

[sageharper.livejournal.com]

Exactly.

So true, especially given how much they play with the club and then straight into another tournament. They rotated the goal keepers, but not so much with the rest.

lol me too. I've taken against Arbeloa anyway so that's gratifying.

I think Leo sharing the spotlight is going to be the real challenge. They've gone through so many combinations up front. It's like he's their precious baby so everything has to accommodate him; he is insanely talented but you can't build a whole team around one person.