After a dream run that started from Euro 2008 and lasted till Euro 2012, is the Spanish armada falling apart? Does it have the next batch of players to pick up the mantle of Xavi, Iniesta and company? Football analyst Novy Kapadia joined IBNLive readers for an interaction on the issue.
Q. Just a bad day and a bad game for them! It doesn't suggest that they have lost everything. I still rate them as number 1 and Germany is number 2. Asked by: Padmanand Jha
A. Yes Spain is still No 1 in the world but the signs are ominous. The defense is getting weak and they lack a striker and Xavi is getting slower. Unless they bring newer players they will not remain No. 1 for long.
Q. One defeat can't erase the achievement of years or can it? Asked by: Ganesh
A. No certainly Spain is the bets team of this generation. It is not the defeat but the manner of defeat. They were outclassed by Brazil. In both the semis and final they could not score a goal. Since David Villa's leg injury this is a major source of concern, so there are indicators that Spain is slipping. They must introduce new players.
Q. Could Brazil have won Spain in a neutral venue? Isn't it premature to write off Spain? Asked by: Birabrata
A. It may have been difficult to beat Spain at a neutral venue. They are probably still the best in the world but they are now struggling against teams which play fast football and that should be a worry for them. Also the 2014 world cup is in Brazil, so will an aging Spanish team be able to cope with the heat and hostile crowds. Not by their current performances. We cannot write off pain yet but del Bosque has to make changes bring in Isco, Michu, Thiago Alcantre, otherwise this team cannot defend their world cup title.
Q. Does it have the next batch of players to pick up the mantle of Xavi, Iniesta and company? Asked by: Deepak
A. Yes Spain has won the European U-21 years title with a dominant performance. They have the players, del Bosque must make changes. For instance he should have played Javi martinez much more as the second def. midfielder, dropped Arbeloa and picked Chelsea's Azpillicueta instead.
Q. Is Spanish domination of world football over? Asked by: fatima
A. It is slipping fast. They have struggled in their World Cup qualifying group and their aura of invincibility is fading because they are no longer able to control midfield and do not have the forwards to score quick goals on the breakaway. At this rate they will not win the 2014 World Cup. They have to bring new players to their team.
Q. Do you think Brazil has what it takes to win it in 2014? Asked by: Harsha
A. Yes they can win the world cup in 2014 as they have a young, athletic, well organised team. Also they are used to the heat and humidity at this time of the year. Defense is good and with Neymar maturing it will help them.
Q. Fred and Neymar reminds us of Romario and Bebeto. Your views Asked by: Anbu
A. Not really did you see Romario and Bebeto. I was in USA for the 1994 world cup and Romario was skilful like Neymar but hovered near the box and scored goals, Neymar works much more and plays on the left. Fred is totally diff from bebeto who was a roving crafty striker noted for his passes and close control. Bebeto was short and quick. fred is tall, a target man and goal poacher. But both combinations are affective.
Q. Fred and Neymar reminds us of Romario and Bebeto. Your views? Asked by: Anbu
A. Fred and Neymar are different from Romario and Bebeto. Fred is tall, lanky a target man, whereas Bebto was short, crafty with sudden acceleration and sharp turns. Romario played as a striker and hovered near the box. Neymar plays on the left and runs more. Romario was the better goal getter but Neymar is a better player.
Q. I don't agree with the topic...as world, euro, and now U 21 champions, we are only seeing the beginning of the dominance of tic-tica. Asked by: SKA
A. Spain has dominated for long but needs new players to play in this style as many of their stars are jaded and aging.
Q. Which country of the two has a bigger pool of potential young talent to come in place of the aging heroes? Asked by: Joel
A. At present it seems Brazil but Spain is not trying new players. Amongst all countries I think Germany has the best new and exciting talent.
Q. How do you see Brazil's chances for the next year's WC? Also, even though its early days, who would be strongest contenders next year? Asked by: Anand P.K
A. They will be very good as hosts and being used to weather and crowd support plus they are well organised and athletic team, tough to beat. Brazil, Germany, Holland, Spain and Argentina are favorites for the world cup according to me.
Q. The possibility of Spain facing a team which indulges in a more physical form of football than tactical is high in 2014 world cup, does it mean that Spain are not the major contenders for the 2014 world cup? Asked by: Dileep
A. Spain are major contenders and will be for some years but they need fresh blood, some new more effective strikers and a tough defense. They are over dependent on their midfield.
Q. Sir, it's just one off day. You cannot write of world champions by just one defeat. Asked by: sanjay
A. You cannot write off world champion by one defeat but it is the manner of their defeat. They did not score a goal in the semi finals also. They need to revamp their team, better strikers, and quicker defenders otherwise they will struggle.
Q. I feel that Scolari has more tactical knowledge than its earlier coaches like Parriera, Dunga, etc. Scolari has also experience of lifting the cup. Asked by: Apratim Ghoshal
A. Yes certainly Scolari is a pragmatic coach. He knows Brazil lacks the Zico type of creative players so he has opted for athletic players who are well organised. Also having won the world cup in 2002 gives him an aura. He is a good motivator and tactician.
Q. Sir, I would feel that 12th June is very far. Brazil won due to absence of football powers like Germany, Argentina and so on. What do you think? Asked by: Apratim Ghoshal
A. Yes anything can happen and things can change in 2014. Germany. Holland and Argentina will be big rivals to Spain and Brazil next year. The winner will come from one of these five countries.
Q. Is it not foolish to judge dominance of a team sport based on the result of one game? Asked by: Satish Kumar
A. The final was an indicator of Spain's weaknesses, fragile defense, poor strikers and slowing down midfielders. They need changes in their team.
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