Spain is known for not altering their passing style regardless of their opponent or situation in the match. Is their free-flowing football going to be good enough to see them through to the final?
As the Iberian derby match quickly approaches, all football fans will be aware of what Spain will bring to the table in Wednesday's night match. The short passing style of play has been a key to success for the Spanish in the last two international tournaments, and they will look to continue that success on Wednesday.
Going into a match with Spain, all teams know that they will be frustrated for majority of the match due to their style of play. Conceding the midfield to the Spanish is something they are used to, but that tends to open up a lot of gaps in the back field. Portugal will be looking to take advantage of the spaces Spain gives them with the speed they have on the outsides.
For many fans, the Spanish style of play has begun to be somewhat of annoyance, while others believe it is a work of art. Truth be said, many of those who are sick of the Spanish way, are mostly the same people who are just annoyed with their dominance over the past years.
While both teams made it through to the semifinals without conceding in their last match, Spain has only conceded one goal which was in the opening match against Italy. The absence of Barcelona defender Carles Puyol raised many concerns for Vicente Del Bosque's squad, but so far they have done well without him.
Adding to Spain's stellar defending so far is the ability to keep the ball for long periods of time. Against France, Spain managed to connect a total of 716 passes, while the French only managed 470. The Portuguese may not be on the same level in regards to playing style, but they still managed a total of 555 passes against the Czech Republic.
"There is no one like Ronaldo," said Vicente Del Bosque in the lead up to the semifinal match. The Portuguese forward has really come into his own as of late, and the Spanish manager is aware of the trouble the Real Madrid star can cause. Former Spanish head coach Luis Aragones said, "It will be very difficult to win. It will be a difficult match with two teams in great form."
Wednesday's match will not only bring together two countries who neighbor each other, but it will also bring together a number of players who see each other frequently in the La Liga. Real Madrid will have three players in the Portuguese side with Cristiano Ronaldo, Pepe and Fabio Coentrao representing Los Blancos. In the Spanish side, Iker Casillas, Sergio Ramos, Alvaro Arbeloa and Xabi Alonso will be representing Real Madrid.
Will Portugal's knowledge of the Spanish style of play benefit them? Having three players who won the La Liga title this season and Jose Mourinho to look to for information, Portugal could cause serious problems for Spain.
Ronaldo led the Real Madrid in scoring this season, much to Casillas content, but this time the Spanish goalkeeper will be on the other end of things. "I don't feel added pressure because I play in Spain," said Ronaldo. "For ten years now I have been competing in highly important matches at a club and international level."
Neutral football fans will be expecting an action packed match with Spain looking to pass their way through the Portuguese team while Portugal will look to play counter-attacking football. Pepe will know what to expect from the Spanish as will Ronaldo, and they will hope to take advantage of the spaces the Spanish give them.
Going into a match with Spain, all teams know that they will be frustrated for majority of the match due to their style of play. Conceding the midfield to the Spanish is something they are used to, but that tends to open up a lot of gaps in the back field. Portugal will be looking to take advantage of the spaces Spain gives them with the speed they have on the outsides.
For many fans, the Spanish style of play has begun to be somewhat of annoyance, while others believe it is a work of art. Truth be said, many of those who are sick of the Spanish way, are mostly the same people who are just annoyed with their dominance over the past years.
While both teams made it through to the semifinals without conceding in their last match, Spain has only conceded one goal which was in the opening match against Italy. The absence of Barcelona defender Carles Puyol raised many concerns for Vicente Del Bosque's squad, but so far they have done well without him.
Adding to Spain's stellar defending so far is the ability to keep the ball for long periods of time. Against France, Spain managed to connect a total of 716 passes, while the French only managed 470. The Portuguese may not be on the same level in regards to playing style, but they still managed a total of 555 passes against the Czech Republic.
"There is no one like Ronaldo," said Vicente Del Bosque in the lead up to the semifinal match. The Portuguese forward has really come into his own as of late, and the Spanish manager is aware of the trouble the Real Madrid star can cause. Former Spanish head coach Luis Aragones said, "It will be very difficult to win. It will be a difficult match with two teams in great form."
Wednesday's match will not only bring together two countries who neighbor each other, but it will also bring together a number of players who see each other frequently in the La Liga. Real Madrid will have three players in the Portuguese side with Cristiano Ronaldo, Pepe and Fabio Coentrao representing Los Blancos. In the Spanish side, Iker Casillas, Sergio Ramos, Alvaro Arbeloa and Xabi Alonso will be representing Real Madrid.
Will Portugal's knowledge of the Spanish style of play benefit them? Having three players who won the La Liga title this season and Jose Mourinho to look to for information, Portugal could cause serious problems for Spain.
Ronaldo led the Real Madrid in scoring this season, much to Casillas content, but this time the Spanish goalkeeper will be on the other end of things. "I don't feel added pressure because I play in Spain," said Ronaldo. "For ten years now I have been competing in highly important matches at a club and international level."
Neutral football fans will be expecting an action packed match with Spain looking to pass their way through the Portuguese team while Portugal will look to play counter-attacking football. Pepe will know what to expect from the Spanish as will Ronaldo, and they will hope to take advantage of the spaces the Spanish give them.
