2014 FIFA World Cup: Spain’s Predicted Line-up – Chelsea Star To Start, No Place For Ex Arsenal Captain

It has been nearly four years since Andres Iniesta slammed the ball past Martin Stekelenburg to send the La Roja into an exultant explosion. The perennial underachievers in football had arrived on the world stage, albeit a little late. And the golden period in Spain’s history continued as they retained the Euros in 2012 and now strive to light up the World Cup in Brazil.

But, unlike the World Cup in 2010 when they entered the tournament as overwhelming favorites, Spain don’t quite inspire the same amount of confidence this time around, despite the treasure trove of skill at Vicente del Bosque’s disposal. While some see this Spain side as one of the golden generations in the history of football, others see it as an aging side implementing a tiki-taka style that could be neutralized by stronger and well-drilled opponents.

As beautiful as the tiki-taka is, Spain’s inherently pleasing style could well be their Achilles heel. Much like they discovered against Brazil in the Confederations Cup final last time around when Brazil took them to the cleaners in a 3-0 demolition. But with a group as talented as Spain have, they are sure to be in contention come the business end of the tournament.

Let’s try and predict what could be the Spanish line up and how will they play.

Goalkeeper And Defense

Iker Casillas

Captain fantastic Iker Casillas is one of the certainties for the starting 11. While one could argue than Manchester United keeper David de Gea deserves a place in the team purely on the basis of form, the World Cup in Brazil may have come a little too early for the former Atletico goalie. He will get his chance eventually, and is undoubtedly going to be the man to slip into Casillas’s boots. Or, gloves should I say!

RB: Cesar Azpilicueta

CB: Gerard Pique

CB: Sergio Ramos

LB: Jordi Alba

Gerard Pique and Sergio Ramos select themselves. The duo is one of the most solid central defensive partnerships in the game at present, and Raul Albiol will have to get used to the bench in Brazil.

Things get really interesting when we come to the right back slot. Cesar Azpilicueta has had a fantastic season for Chelsea, while Juanfran has been equally impressive for the Spanish champions Atletico Madrid. Juanfran’s attacking instincts may offer the La Roja a different edge, but Azpilicueta’s no-nonsense approach to defending wins it for me.

Jordi Alba is another who has well and truly sealed his place in the Spanish team, and barring any injury concerns which could see Azpilicueta shift to left back, the Barcelona man will take his place in the starting 11.

Midfield

CDM : Sergio Busquets

CM: Xavi Hernandes

CM: Andres Iniesta

Xabi Alonso was immense for the Los Blancos this season, and would walk into most teams on the planet. But why disrupt the tried and tested midfield triumvirate of Busquets, Xavi and Iniesta? del Bosque did start all four of them in South Africa in 2010, but it seems highly unlikely that he will do the same in Brazil.

For the past six years, Xavi has been the midfield orchestrator for Spain. He makes the team tick, and is the La Roja’s CPU. He initiates the attack and brings the forward players into the game. But age and the constant football seems to have caught up on the midfield maestro and unsurprisingly, Barcelona’s first trophyless campaign in six years also coincided with a regression in Xavi’s performances, certainly in terms of the high standards he has set for himself.

And while Busquets and Xavi are known to utilize possession effectively and build play from the back, mobility could be an increasing issue for both.

Despite the talented group of youngsters coming through the ranks in Spain, Iniesta still remains Spain’s best hope in Brazil this year. Iniesta is the finest midfielder of his generation, and yet cruelly underrated. Iniesta comes into the World Cup on the back of a poor campaign in Barcelona colors, thanks to Gerardo Martino’s constant shuffling and changing in midfield. But the 29-yar old remains the vital link between Spain’s midfield and attack, and will be the transmuter of the La Roja’s concerted possession phase to their attacking phase. And with his special ability to rise in the big games, much like in Johannesburg four years earlier, Iniesta will once again be Spain’s biggest asset in Sambaland.

Forwards

RW: Pedro Rodriguez

LW: David Silva

ST: Diego Costa

Without an out and out winger in Jesus Navas in their squad, Pedro’s pace and tendency to keep his width is sure to lend Spain a different dimension going forward. And he’s got goals in him, something that Spain badly missed in their World Cup winning campaign in 2010.

David Silva has enjoyed a fantastic season under Manuel Pellegrini for Manchester City and looks set to get the nod over Cesc Fabregas or Santi Cazorla. And with Silva cutting in from the left, Jordi Alba’s forward dashes could offer Spain a directness to their offensive play.

No position will come under the scanner more than who starts upfront for Spain. They have Diego Costa, Fernando Torres and David Villa in their squad and del Bosque could also turn to former Arsenal star Cesc Fabregas in the false 9 role. Diego Costa, if it, is sure to get the nod over Torres or Villa. Costa has been in scintillating form off late, scoring 35 goals in all competitions for Atletico Madrid last season. Costa is clinical in front of goal, and his physicality and ability in the air only adds to the tiki-taka brand that Spain like to play. And for a team that won the World Cup with three consecutive 1-0’s last time around, a few goals from their frontman wouldn’t hurt their cause.

Prediction:

Spain head into Brazil as one of the favorites to claim the ultimate prize, but they have shown enough signs of vulnerability to keep the other teams interested. The World Cup in Brazil will almost certainly be the last hurrah for a golden generation who have won two Euros and a World Cup. And with Andres Iniesta, Xavi and David Silva in their ranks, don’t put it past the La Roja to paint the town red come July 13 in Rio.