Blue_Raider said:
He has played in all 3 pre Euros friendlies...don't quote me on this but i think all 90 mins in each. He has been sublime especially last night when Iniesta came on. He is going to start on Sunday against Italy. Spanish players and the media are praising him to the hilt. Viva España y El Mago Canario
From what we've seen over here so far in the three pre-tournament friendly games, Silva is almost certainly going to be in the starting eleven. The fact that Barcelona and Athletic Bilbao players were giving extra time off before joining up with the squad meant that Del Bosque had to weigh up all his options. Not having David Villa available up front could be a real problem, as neither Negredo nor Torres can guarantee scoring so many.
We all know that Spain will have much more of the ball than the opposition (it's a bit like watching Barcelona or City!), but the build-up play can be pretty monotonous at times. Therefore, they need players with the ability to open up mass defences. Xavi Hernández is staring to look a bit more pedestrian these days, and many of his passes tend to be of the easy five-yard horizontal ones. Therefore, the two players that Del Bosque is quite probably going to opt for, playing just off the lone striker, are Iniesta and Silva. Other midfield players like Fabregas or Santi Cazorla just don't have the same ability to open up defences with those amazing passes.
To be honest, China had a good go at them (on the counter attack) last night in the first half, but once Iniesta came on and linked up with Silva, Spain improved dramatically.
Spain also have a plan B: use the pace of Navas down the right wing and play Fernando Llorente as an old-fashioned number 9.
It's just like watching England! NOT!
