CESC FABREGAS looks set to be available for this evening’s rerun of the Euro 2008 final at the Moses Mabhida stadium here in Durban. However, lingering doubts about the Arsenal midfielder’s ability to get through a full game after picking up a knock to his leg in training on Monday are likely to mean another chance for Fernando Torres to make an overdue impact on this tournament.
The Liverpool striker hasn’t scored a competitive goal for his country since the one that earned them their second European crown in Vienna two years ago. Vicente del Bosque has come under some pressure from the Spanish media to drop the striker, with a change in formation and Fabregas’ introduction to the side behind David Villa one of the possibilities most commonly floated.
Del Bosque could also start with Pedro or Fernado Llorente, both of whom have done well after coming on in games during the past couple of weeks, while David Silva and Jesus Navas have outside shots of replacing Torres in what would be a reshaped team.
Asked about Fabregas last night, the Spanish coach said an X-ray on the fibula the midfielder had cracked playing against Barcelona in the Champions League in March had been clear but with the 23-year-old already carrying a minor shoulder problem, del Bosque sounded a little doubtful about the player, despite saying he expected him to be available for the selection.
“We were worried yesterday,” he said, “because he took a knock in the same place as his previous injury but I think he’ll be able to play, depending on further tests.”
In the circumstances, it seems, del Bosque is most likely to stick with the team that has reached the semi-finals without ever really quite reproducing the form they showed two years ago. In terms of injuries, the manager’s only other concern has been Carles Puyol, the Barcelona centre back, who had to be replaced after suffering a bout of blurred vision late on during the side’s quarter-final win over Paraguay but del Bosque says the 32 year-old is fine now.
Assuming he does play, Puyol may well find himself targeted by the Germans in much the same way as they did John Terry during the 4-1 win in Bloemfontein last Sunday week. The Chelsea captain was repeatedly dragged out of position in that game by Miroslav Klose and, on occasion, members of the attacking midfield trio behind the striker leaving space for others to run into.
The Spanish, though, will look to Sergio Busquets to provide the sort of protection to their back four the English lacked that day. although they are bound to be concerned by the counter attacking prowess of a German side that managed eight goals from 13 attempts on target during the wins over Fabio Capello and Maradona’s sides.
The Germans have never lost to Spain in a World Cup but their opponents have edged things in terms of recent competitive meetings and del Bosque will be hoping the sometimes mesmerising passing and movement of Xavi, Xabi Alonso and Andres Iniesta can provide the key to what would be another famous victory.
Joachim Loew’s side will hope for a repeat of the 1974 World Cup final when West Germany defeated a great Dutch side, but they will have to work hard to prevent the Spanish midfield working its way too far forward while also keeping Villa at bay in and around their area.
Loew insists: “First of all it is us who have to play our game. Everybody knows Spain. But we have our own ideas and we want to impose our own playing style on the game.”
And the German coach reckons his current side, the first to score four goals or more in three games at a World Cup since Brazil in 1970, is up to the task, with the young players who have graduated from the European Championship winning under-21 side having helped to bring about a significant improvement in the team that finished runners-up two years ago.
“There are many changes for us, while the Spaniards are similar,” said the coach who is expected to bring another 20 year-old, Toni Kroos, into his midfield for the suspended Thomas Muller. “We have made progress in the style of football we play and the results we get. We were not as consistent and our quality was not as good. Now our combination is much better as is our flowing game.”
Del Bosque wasn’t arguing with that assessment last night. “They have undertaken a renewal with an important base of young players. They have conserved their values and added players of technical quality.”
Three Key Battles: Where The Game Could Be Won And Lost
Per Mertesacker v David Villa
Mertesacker has been a rock at the back for Germany and will be looking to continue his impressive form when he takes on the tournament top goalscorer David Villa. Villa will be more than confident of finding the net for a sixth time this summer and his pace and movement could cause major problems for the centre half.
Mesut Ozil v Sergio Busquets
Ozil has shown he has undoubted talent and if he is given time on the ball he can cause major problems with his dribbling, passing and surging forward runs. Busquets will be vital to his team's performance, taking up the holding role in midfield, which should allow flair players such as Andres Iniesta, Xavi and Cesc Fabregas to get forward.
Miroslav Klose v Gerard Pique
Klose, who only scored three league goals at Bayern Munich last season, has been in fine form, netting four goals. The frontman may lack pace but his clever movement, aerial ability, work-rate and quality finishing will leave Pique with a lot of work to do. Pique has looked reliable so far but has not faced a striker of Klose's quality until now.
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