Euro El-Classico

Tonight Spain take on Portugal in the first Euro 2012 semi-final, and it is being billed as an international el-classico.

Spain play with the Barcelona style, and the pace of their games is often dictated by their Barcelona stars.

Portugal  play the Real Madrid way and like Madrid rely on Ronaldo to be their talisman.

This is without mentioning Lionel Messi who could have played for Spain (he was eligible) instead of Argentina, the fact that Mourinho manages Madrid and that Guardiola until recently was in charge of Barca and was the one who transformed their style, it may feel for those involved that they haven’t left Spanish shores.

Much has been made of Spain’s tactic not to play a recognised striker and instead play Fabregas in a false 9 position, some have called this negative.

I don’t agree that it’s negative since 2008 Spain have been undisputed best side in the world, I don’t care what the rankings say, they also play the best football in the world and almost every team that faces them know this and set-up as defensive as possible.

So by not playing a striker isn’t being negative it’s trying to counter the negativity of others, and trying something a bit different.

Calling Spain negative to me shows a misunderstanding, we are after all talking about a team that are reigning European and World champions and are favourites to become the first nation to win 3 major tournaments in a row, you don’t get into that position by being negative.

That is why I expect Spain to progress, it may be close but I think Portugal won’t have enough of the ball to pressurise Spain or cause them enough problems.

If you want to stop Portugal playing you only have to stop one man, if you want to stop Spain you have to stop at least five, and it’s that teamwork and ethic that will see Spain home.