Match Preview – Spain v Switzerland

With preparations over, the Spanish are turning their attention to Durban and the Moses Mabhida Stadium – the setting of their opening Group H game. A string of wins in recent friendly games, including an impressive 6-0 dismantling of Poland last week, ensures that the team will be entering the game against the Swiss feeling as confident as ever.

Spain

Although there are slight doubts over Andrés Iniesta’s fitness after picking up a minor injury against Poland, he is expected to make it in time to join a full strength squad for Vicente del Bosque to pick from. Fernando Torres’ road to recovery has gone well since picking up a knee injury whilst playing for Liverpool. He was able to get some valuable match practice in their last game, and also got himself on the score sheet. The other doubt was Cesc Fàbregas, but he looks to be fully recovered now and also saw some time against Poland.

With no real personnel issues, the only problem for the manager lies in the team selection. And, whilst it’s always a good problem to have, it means that someone has to miss out. Del Bosque has been playing a 4-2-3-1 system whilst Fernando Torres has been injured and it appears to suit them very well. It allows them to dominate possession with the five in midfield whilst remaining solid with the two holding players.

The downside to this is that only one of Fernando Torres and David Villa can play the lone striker role – and with Villa’s impressive all-round game and incredible goal record of 38 goals in 58 caps, it’s impossible to leave him out. The other option would be to drop a midfielder, most likely Xabi Alonso, and play Torres upfront in a 4-4-2. However, with the current system serving del Bosque well, he will be reluctant to change things around too much at this stage. This may not be the popular option amongst many but it’s important to have options and be flexible at this level. You can’t blame him for wanting to stick with something that works so well for them.

Switzerland

The Swiss are embarking upon their fourth consecutive major tournament, and what better way to start than against the fearsome and outright favourites? They do however have a very astute manager in Ottmar Hitzfeld and whilst they may not possess the same kind of individual talent that Spain does, they are fairly solid and work well as a team.

Though a fairly unspectacular nation, favouring a pretty standard 4-4-2 system, they do have a few stand-out players. The first of note is Tranquillo Barnetta. The Leverkusen winger is a very able player, capable of operating on either wing, and a major source of creativity for the Swiss. In the middle of the field will be the all-action Udinese player Gökhan Inler, a player whose performances at the last major tournament courted interest from a number of Europe’s bigger clubs. Finally, the captain, and probably their most talented player Alexander Frei.

The FC Basel striker has racked up a total of 40 goals in 73 games for his country, but his presence will be sorely missed for the opening game after injuring his ankle in training. The man likely to step in is the highly rated 22 year old Eren Derdiyok – another Bundesliga representative contracted to Leverkusen. The other concern for the Swiss is Valon Behrami, who has been ruled out of the game due to a thigh injury The West Ham winger’s hard work and industry will certainly be missed and he would have been a definite starter if he was available.

They will certainly have to improve on performances in their recent friendly games if they are going to make an impact in South Africa. Two losses and a 1-1 draw with current world champions Italy concluded their pre-tournament preparation. But as we know, friendly games aren’t always indicative of how a team will perform when the real action gets going.

Summary

Spain are no doubt favourites here and the Swiss are likely to be heavily affected by the loss of their talisman and captain Frei. However, if Hitzfeld can make sure his team stay disciplined they have a slight chance of earning something, but I would say that the combined attacking talents of Villa, Iniesta, Silva & co. should have enough to come away with a victory here.

Predicted teams

Spain (4-2-3-1) – Casillas; S.Ramos, Puyol, Piqué, Capdevila; Busquets, X.Alonso, Xavi, Iniesta, Silva; Villa.

Switzerland (4-4-2) – Benaglio; Lichtsteiner, Senderos, Grichting, Ziegler; Padalino, Huggel, Inler, Barnetta; Derdiyok, N’Kufo.

Group H, Spain, Switzerland, World Cup 2010