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Some players admitted that they were blocked because they knew they could be left out of the World Cup in the first stage. Their three minutes on the field became an eternity. The footballers turned to the bench to ask relatives and fans behind. And some teammates transmitted it on the field, although the coach didn’t seem to know, he said in a press conference. “I have not come here to speculate. I am not happy today because I lost to Japan, I want my team to give its best version and win all its games. That is the way to continue growing”, he was honest Luis Enrique.

The coach left angry, but more disgusted by what he saw on the field. There was an added relaxation that influenced Spain’s game. First the excitement and later the fear of being eliminated paralyzed the Spaniards. The team is not comfortable at any time, also thanks to a good rival, and far from that team that was very surprised at the premiere.

Some of the keys have already been found. Most obviously, Spain’s pace of the ball, which at times was played with too many touches, slowed the game down. “We lacked a lot of rhythm on the ball, moving the ball quickly to find the free man,” he said Peter González to leave the Khalifa Stadium, after falling against Japan. They sought to play fast, the touch and go, all their lives.

And the canary is right. You can get the ball but speed is important to create space. More than teams that are well and disciplined and close as in the case of Japan. Rivals who can also surprise you on the counterattack because they also have physical power and are quick in transitions.

Linked to this aspect, above there is no mobility. yes that’s true Spain He kept his pass rate above a thousand (against Japan there were 1,058) and a good part of it in the last third of the rival field (251). This means that Luis Enrique’s men once again trapped the opponent, but they lacked the agility of ideas and movement in the final meters. Looking forward to clearing the check and the strikers are too static, unable to find or create spaces or passing lanes.

Another fact to consider is lost property. Spain usually dominate the game, they have done it in all three games, and that is why they also tend to lose more balls than their opponents because they also have more risks. Against Japan there are 136, thirty less than the Asians (106). In the match against Germany, 149 possessions were lost, although the rival finished with 132. Two records far from what was achieved in the first match in Costa Rica: 120 by Spain and 112 by Costa Rica, who asked for less.

assume the fear

More than the football part, with a young team, you have to improve the psychological aspect, that’s one thing Luis Enrique works for him, but perhaps it is necessary to do it on a collective level, to generate more synergies and trust. In a World Cup, there are always moments in a match when you can get out, but that situation can’t stop you like it did against Japan. Because against another rival it can happen to you more bills. The group must regain self-esteem and avoid doubts. There are four days left to rest, work tactically and mentally. You have to be ready to learn how to compete for life or death.