Euro 2012: Spain prove not to be so boring after all

If Sunday's Euro 2012 final helped Spain cast of their unwarranted 'boring' tag, it also proved that responsibility for any dull matches earlier in the tournament lay with their opponents. Many bemoaned the level of entertainment on offer during Spain's quarter and semi-final wins over France and Portugal, yet as noted by Corinthian Spirit yesterday, it was those teams' decision to sit deep and play with men behind the ball that made it difficult for Spain to play the more direct game that many were hoping for. Once Portugal went on the attack in extra time of the semi-final, Spain found that the pitch had opened up for them and responded accordingly.

Instead of setting out to defend, as Italian sides of the past would have done, and as Spain's other opponents in this tournament have done, Italy attacked, trying to play the more open, creative game that served them so well against Germany. This created space for the Spanish to operate in, and they were able to create more scoring opportunities than in previous rounds, resulting in four goals.

That said, this new-found aggression was not entirely a response to Italian tactics. The champions set out to play more aggressively than in previous rounds, attempting more shots from long range, and making more forward runs from midfield and fullback. Despite the selection of Fabregas, the Barcelona midfielder effectively played as an out and out centre forward, staying high up the pitch and making runs into the box, unlike his earlier appearances in the tournament when he played as a false nine and dropped into midfield (for more tactical analysis, see the excellent Zonal Marking blog).

Not only was Italy's defence overwhelmed, but thanks to Vicente del Bosque denied Andrea Pirlo the space to operate that Germany and England had given him, thanks to the tactical master stroke of using Iniesta and Silva to squeeze the midfield when defending, allowing Xavi to push up and press the Italian playmaker. Cesare Prandelli's team was left unable to create clear cut chances, and Spain's domination was secured.

Before the final was even over, the plaudits for the Spanish performance were flooding in, but many were coupled with the question as to why they could not produce this performance earlier in the competition. Their performance justified a little of the criticism, as they showed what they're capable of when they press forward, but even Spain can only do what the opposition allow them to do, and previously in this tournament, they have not been given space to work in, resulting in long periods of playing for possession and the accusations of being boring. But if yesterday's final illustrates anything, it is that whilst, they could have been more aggressive earlier in the tournament, they were working with what they had, and that their opponents had two choices: defend deep and be boring, or attack and be exciting, but either way, the result is the same.