After seeing Cesc Fabregas struggle for the national team in a false nine role, Vicente Del Bosque might be looking at other players who could perform better down the middle.
Over the years, we have seen trends in modern football change quite drastically. From the fall of the 4-4-2 formation, to the rise of 4-5-1, managers have been modifying their tactics with varying success since the turn of the current millennia.
However, there is one tactical choice that has been used with extreme caution by a selected few top managers of the game. Out of these managers, most chose to discard that formation. Roma did well to execute the 4-6-0 formation to their benefit, Barcelona are one team who have successfully used this formation to their advantage.
During last year’s European Championships, Spain successfully used this unique formation as they won the competition for the second consecutive occasion.
A false nine is supposed to draw the centre-backs out of position, it does so by dropping deep every now and then to help his side maintain possession in the midfield due to which, opponents become reluctant to come and close him down which gives the false nine a bit of space to work on.
The Spaniards destroyed Belarus last year in world cup qualification game through this tactic but in the next game against France, they succumbed to a last-gasp equaliser. Coming on the back of a 4-0 mauling of the Belarusians in Minsk, Del Bosque was not willing to tinker his squad much against the French. However, the game against Didier Deschamps’ side proved that while the false nine approach could work against Belarus, it might not pay dividends against a team like France.
It appears that false nine is becoming more of a false hope for Spain as they drew 1-1 against Finland in Gijon. Despite La Roja’s 82% possession during the game, the final score was 1-1.
On that night, it just did not quite happen for Cesc Fabregas whose performance did not offer Spain much in terms of going on the offense and creating opportunities.
France will definitely be a tough opposition to break down and have done brilliantly in the recent past, Spain will be aware of the fact that it will be a must to alter tactics for this tie. The false nine did not work the last time Les Bleus played against Spain and it might be right to say that Del Bosque should be looking at other options.
Fabregas has not really been in inspiring form of late for the national side as well as for club, meaning that some other player should be given a chance to play through the centre against France. The likes of Negredo, David Villa and Pedro are the current options that Del Bosque has at his disposal.
One Spanish player apart from Fabregas who can flourish in the false nine role is Swansea star Michu. However, sadly the former Rayo Vallecano man has once again been ignored by the Spanish manager.
Del Bosque should consider the option of shunning the false nine role against France, in order to accommodate strikers who will guarantee goals should opportunities present themselves.
David Villa has played through the centre for Spain as well as Valencia in the past, and we all know that ‘El Guaje’ is a prolific goal scorer and is also on a good run for his club.
Pedro is another player who could thrive in the role and is an excellent finisher. The Barcelona man has scored 11 goals in 25 appearances for Spain and is more than capable of doing the job.
Another man who has repeatedly been ignored by Vicente Del Bosque is Sevilla front man Álvaro Negredo, the former Real Madrid man has done ever so well for his club and has scored 20 goals in 30 games for Sevilla this season. It is high time that Negredo gets a well deserved place in the starting line-up.
Last time against France, despite their overwhelming possession, Spain were unable to put the game to bed despite the chances they had. In the end, missed opportunities saw them concede a goal late on.
Had this been the case had Del Bosque put his faith on a recognised striker?
Maybe, it is time for Del Bosque to let go of the false nine tactic to get back to winning ways.
However, there is one tactical choice that has been used with extreme caution by a selected few top managers of the game. Out of these managers, most chose to discard that formation. Roma did well to execute the 4-6-0 formation to their benefit, Barcelona are one team who have successfully used this formation to their advantage.
During last year’s European Championships, Spain successfully used this unique formation as they won the competition for the second consecutive occasion.
A false nine is supposed to draw the centre-backs out of position, it does so by dropping deep every now and then to help his side maintain possession in the midfield due to which, opponents become reluctant to come and close him down which gives the false nine a bit of space to work on.
The Spaniards destroyed Belarus last year in world cup qualification game through this tactic but in the next game against France, they succumbed to a last-gasp equaliser. Coming on the back of a 4-0 mauling of the Belarusians in Minsk, Del Bosque was not willing to tinker his squad much against the French. However, the game against Didier Deschamps’ side proved that while the false nine approach could work against Belarus, it might not pay dividends against a team like France.
It appears that false nine is becoming more of a false hope for Spain as they drew 1-1 against Finland in Gijon. Despite La Roja’s 82% possession during the game, the final score was 1-1.
On that night, it just did not quite happen for Cesc Fabregas whose performance did not offer Spain much in terms of going on the offense and creating opportunities.
France will definitely be a tough opposition to break down and have done brilliantly in the recent past, Spain will be aware of the fact that it will be a must to alter tactics for this tie. The false nine did not work the last time Les Bleus played against Spain and it might be right to say that Del Bosque should be looking at other options.
Fabregas has not really been in inspiring form of late for the national side as well as for club, meaning that some other player should be given a chance to play through the centre against France. The likes of Negredo, David Villa and Pedro are the current options that Del Bosque has at his disposal.
One Spanish player apart from Fabregas who can flourish in the false nine role is Swansea star Michu. However, sadly the former Rayo Vallecano man has once again been ignored by the Spanish manager.
Del Bosque should consider the option of shunning the false nine role against France, in order to accommodate strikers who will guarantee goals should opportunities present themselves.
David Villa has played through the centre for Spain as well as Valencia in the past, and we all know that ‘El Guaje’ is a prolific goal scorer and is also on a good run for his club.
Pedro is another player who could thrive in the role and is an excellent finisher. The Barcelona man has scored 11 goals in 25 appearances for Spain and is more than capable of doing the job.
Another man who has repeatedly been ignored by Vicente Del Bosque is Sevilla front man Álvaro Negredo, the former Real Madrid man has done ever so well for his club and has scored 20 goals in 30 games for Sevilla this season. It is high time that Negredo gets a well deserved place in the starting line-up.
Last time against France, despite their overwhelming possession, Spain were unable to put the game to bed despite the chances they had. In the end, missed opportunities saw them concede a goal late on.
Had this been the case had Del Bosque put his faith on a recognised striker?
Maybe, it is time for Del Bosque to let go of the false nine tactic to get back to winning ways.
