Exactly this close connection could now be particularly valuable for Hansi Flick.
dominance on the ball
Anyone who deals with Spanish football knows that the principles of the game are the same everywhere. All teams rely on dominant ball possession football with long relay passes. The players are technically and tactically trained at the highest level.
In the summer of 2021, Spain’s men dominated the European Championship semi-finals against eventual European champions Italy, had more ball possession (70:30 percent), more chances to score (16:7) and, accordingly, a higher probability of scoring. The value of the “expected goals” was 1.52 to 0.76. In no game of the European Championship did Spain have less possession of the ball than their opponents.
And the women’s national team is continuing that tradition in England these days. In the first game against Finland, the Roja, as the selection is called, had 78 percent possession, created 32 chances and only allowed 4. The game ended 4:1. Even without superstar Alexia Putellas (torn cruciate ligament) (read more here), the Spaniards outplayed their opponents from Northern Europe.
Yesterday evening Germany also felt this dominance on the ball. The ARD experts Nia Künzer and Babett Peter emphasized several times that it is a game of patience to always have to run after and start again. Keeping Spain away from their own goal while creating their own chances is exhausting. But Martina Voss-Tecklenburg’s team succeeded impressively.
The plan can be seen
Especially at the beginning, the German team relied on what they had already distinguished themselves against Denmark at the start: a high level of attacking pressing right into the opponent’s penalty area. The front row disrupted the Spanish defense in the build-up play without a break. The focus was on the fast wingers Svenja Huth and Klara Bühl, who conquered a total of 20 balls in this way. You can find the complete individual review with all grades here or in the slideshow.