Road To Russia - World Cup Team-By-Team Preview - GROUP B
Spain
Manager:
Julen Lopetegui
Squad:
Goalkeepers: David De Gea (Manchester
United), Pepe Reina (Napoli), Kepa (Athletic Bilbao);
Defenders: Dani Carvajal, Sergio
Ramos, Nacho (all Real Madrid), Jordi Alba, Gerard Pique (both Barcelona),
Nacho Monreal (Arsenal), Cesar Azpilicueta (Chelsea), Odriozola (Real
Sociedad);
Midfield: Sergio Busquets, Andres
Iniesta (both Barcelona) Saúl, Koke (both Atletico), Thiago (Bayern) Silva
(Manchester City), Isco, Marco Asensio, Lucas Vázquez (all Real Madrid);
Forward: Iago Aspas (Celta), Rodrigo
(Valencia), Diego Costa (Atletico)
Key player:
David
Silva: If Spain is to win the World Cup, they will need their little magician
to be at his best.
One to watch:
David De Gea: despite being a goalkeeper, De Gea is as
exciting to watch as any top level attacker.
Young gun:
Marcos
Asensio: with his silky skills and ability to score in big games, Asensio is a
future superstar.
Overview/style of play:
La
Roja will undoubtedly be keen to get back to their winning ways after a dismal
outing in Brazil and a disappointing Euro in 2016. Coach Julen Lopetegui will not be looking to
experiment with what is still an exceptionally talented squad. Expect to see
more sumptuous passing and fluid attacking football from this resurgent Spanish
side, with Spain averaging an impressive 3.26 goals a game in Lopetegui’s first 15 matches at
the helm. To top it off, opponents will struggle to get past a solid defensive
wall that was largely impenetrable throughout qualifiers.
Strengths:
• Confidence
is key, and the Spaniards will have plenty of it after a thoroughly impressive
qualifying campaign
• This
Spanish side have the rare gift of a prolific attack paired with an almost
faultless defensive four, conceding only 7 goals in Lopetegui’s first 15 matches
• Tenacity
is a valuable asset, especially in a high-stakes tournament such as this. With
relentless pressing, the rejuvenated team has scored a large number of goals in
the second half. This tireless, never-say-die attitude will surely be invaluable
in Russia
Weaknesses:
• It
could be said that Spain are increasingly reliant on an old-guard of ageing
stars, particularly in midfield and defence, although experience is often
crucial in tournaments such as these
• Predictability
- although recent results suggest otherwise, Spain’s tried and tested passing
system - as pleasing to the eye as it is - could be nullified by a tactically
savvy opponent, and we could see a return to a side that struggles to convert
chances into goals
Predicted line up:
Jerseys:
Verdict:
A major contender to win the whole thing. They’ll have to get past the likes of
Argentina and Germany first though. A lack of pace may be their downfall.
Portugal
Manager:
Fernando Santos
Squad:
Goalkeepers: Anthony Lopes (Olympique Lyonnais/France), Beto (Goztepe
SK/Turkey), Rui Patricio (Sporting CP)
Defenders: Antunes (Getafe/Spain), Bruno Alves (Rangers/Scotland), Cedric
(Southampton/England), Joao Cancelo (Internazionale/Italy), Jose Fonte (Dalian
Aerbin/China PR), Luis Neto (Fenerbahce/Turkey), Mario Rui (Napoli/Italy),
Nelson Semedo (Barcelona/Spain), Pepe (Besiktas/Turkey), Raphael Guerreiro
(Borussia Dortmund/Germany), Ricardo (Porto), Rolando (Marseille/France), Ruben
Dias (Benfica)
Midfielders: Adrien Silva (Leicester City/England), Andre Gomes
(Barcelona/Spain), Bernardo Silva (Manchester City/England), Bruno Fernandes
(Sporting CP), Joao Mario (West Ham United/England), Joao Moutinho
(Monaco/France), Manuel Fernandes (Lokomotiv Moscow/Russia), Rony Lopes
(Monaco), Ruben Neves (Wolverhampton Wanderers/England), Sergio Oliveira
(Porto), William (Sporting CP)
Forwards: Andre Silva (AC Milan/Italy), Cristiano Ronaldo (Real
Madrid/Spain), Eder (Lokomotiv Moscow/Russia), Gelson Martins (Sporting CP),
Goncalo Guedes (Valencia/Spain), Nani (Lazio/Italy), Paulinho (Braga), Ricardo
Quaresma (Besiktas/Turkey)
Key player:
Cristiano Ronaldo: Ronaldo seems to be
getting better with age, and this will surely be his last chance to win a World
Cup.
One-to-watch:
Bernardo Silva:
Portugal cannot just rely on Ronaldo, and Silva’s creativity and goal-scoring
prowess will be important to his side.
Young gun:
Gelson Martins: one of the fastest
players in the world, the right winger is a skilful dribbler and has the potential
to burn opposition defences, especially late in games if he comes off the
bench.
Team overview/style of play:
The Portuguese
will be emboldened after their largely unexpected Euro 2016 triumph in France,
and will undoubtedly be eager to build upon this success despite coach Fernando
Santos dropping much of the squad that featured in the continental tournament.
Noted for playing pragmatic, defensive-minded football, it is unlikely that the
former Greece boss will tinker with tactics that have brought the side so much
success. Expect to see a continuation of the conventional 4-4-2 system and a
continued dependence on a solid back four and a crowded midfield. Despite this
perceived rigidity, Santos has not shied away from introducing new talent into
the squad, handing opportunities to a number of young talents, whilst AC Milan
striker Andre Silva has been a revelation in his pairing with Ronaldo upfront,
solving many of Portugal’s attacking woes.
Strengths:
• Cristiano
Ronaldo. Need we say more? Although the Real star is deadly on his own, his
pairing with Milan newcomer Andre Silva has been impressive to say the least,
with the duo forming the crux of the Seleção’s attack.
Weaknesses:
• For
a team and a manager that places a great deal of focus on their defensive
players, an ageing central defensive duo of Pepe and Jose Fonte may struggle to
meet the demands of the World Cup
Predicted line up:
Jerseys:
Verdict:
Should make it out of the group, but a
chance of being knocked out in the round of 16. No-one gave them a chance at
Euro 2016 though…
Iran
Manager:
Carlos Queiroz
Squad:
Goalkeepers: Alireza
Beiranvand (Persepolis), Seyed Hossein Hosseini (Esteghlal), Rashid Mazaheri
(Zob Ahan), Amir Abedzadeh (Maritimo, Portugal);
Defenders: Ramin
Rezaeian (Ostende, Belgium), Voria Ghafouri (Esteghlal), Steven Beitashour (Los
Angeles FC, USA), Seyed Jalal Hosseini (Persepolis), Mohammad Reza Khanzadeh
(Padideh), Morteza Pouraliganji (Alsaad, Qatar), Mohammad Ansari (Persepolis),
Pejman Montazeri (Esteghlal), Seyed Majid Hosseini (Esteghlal), Milad Mohammadi
(Akhmat Grozny, Russia), Omid Norafkan (Esteghlal), Saeid AGhaei (Sepahan),
Roozbeh Cheshmi (Esteghlal);
Midfielders: Saeid
Ezatolahi (Amkar Perm, Russia), Masoud Shojaei (AEK Athens, Greece), Ahmad
Abdolahzadeh (Foolad), Saman Ghoddos (Ostersunds, Sweden), Mahdi Torabi
(Saipa), Ashkan Dejagah (Notthingham Forest, England), Omid Ebrahimi
(Esteghlal), Ehsan Hajsafi (Olympiacos, Greece), Ali Karimi (Sepahan), Soroush
Rafiei (Al Khor, Qatar), Ali Gholizadeh (Saipa), Vahid Amiri (Persepolis);
Forwards: Alireza
Jahanbakhsh (AZ Alkmaar, Netherlands), Karim Ansarifard (Olympiacos, Greece),
Mahdi Taremi (Al Gharafa, Qatar), Sardar Azmoun (Rubin Kazan, Russia), Reza
Ghoochannejhad (Heerenveen, Netherlands), Kaveh Rezaei (Charleroi, Belgium).
Key player:
Sardar
Azmoun: at just 23, Azmoun is already his country’s most important player, with
23 goals in 31 national team caps, including 11 during qualification (=3rd
overall).
One-to-watch:
Mehdi
Taremi: twice leading goal-scorer of the Persian Gulf Pro League, Taremi will
go into the World Cup in good touch.
Young gun:
Saeid
Ezatolahi: the 21 year-old is an Atlético Madrid academy graduate.
Team overview/style of
play:
Asia’s best ranked team have been transformed into a World
Cup mainstay under former United assistant Carlos Queiroz. As is common with
less technically gifted sides, Team Melli favour a defensive approach to the
beautiful game, happy to sit back and frustrate opponents before launching
blistering counter attacks. Younger additions to the squad, such as Rostov
striker Sardar Azmoun, will add some much needed flair and pace, and will
surely complement such a strategy.
Strengths:
•
Defensive
prowess - Iran have the potential to be giant killers, needing to score only
one goal before they shut the impenetrable gate that is their defence
Weaknesses:
•
Despite
recent additions to the squad, Iran still lack a creative spark and are often
forced to play on the back foot
Predicted line up:
Jersey:
Verdict:
Some
good young players and will have some bright moments, but a success would be
not finishing last in their group.
Morocco
Manager:
Hervé Renard
Squad:
Goalkeepers: Mounir El
Kajoui (Numancia, Spain), Yassine Bounou (Girona, Spain), Ahmad Reda Tagnaouti
(Ittihad Tanger);
Defenders: Mehdi Benatia
(Juventus, Italy), Romain Saiss (Wolverhampton Wanderers, England), Manuel Da
Costa (Basaksehir, Turkey), Badr Benoun (Raja Casablanca), Nabil Dirar
(Fenerbahce, Turkey), Achraf Hakimi (Real Madrid, Spain), Hamza Mendyl (Lille,
France);
Midfielders: M'bark
Boussoufa (Al Jazira, UAE), Karim El Ahmadi (Feyenoord, Netherlands), Youssef
Ait Bennasser (Caen, France), Sofyan Amrabat (Feyenoord, Netherlands), Younes
Belhanda (Galatasaray, Turkey), Faycal Fajr (Getafe, Spain), Amine Harit (Schalke,
Germany);
Forwards: Khalid Boutaib
(Malatyaspor, Turkey), Aziz Bouhaddouz (St. Pauli, Germany), Ayoub El Kaabi
(Renaissance Berkane), Nordin Amrabat (Leganes, Spain), Mehdi Carcela (Standard
de Liege, Belgium), Hakim Ziyech (Ajax, Netherlands).
Key player:
Medhi
Benatia: Benatia has big game experience and is a commanding player at the back
for the Atlas Lions.
One to watch:
Hakim
Ziyech: his sublime skills and technique will bring much excitement to each
Morocco game.
Young gun:
Achraf Hakimi:
having come through the ranks in Real Madrid’s youth sides to now feature in
their first team, at only 19 years-old Hakimi already looks like a future star.
Team overview/style of
play:
The
first African team to make it past the group stage have arguably drawn the
short straw, finding themselves in a group consisting of Iberian powerhouses
Spain and Portugal. Nonetheless, the Atlas Lions will not shy away from taking
the game right to their opponents. Coached by former Lille manager Hervé
Renard, Morocco boast a line up chock-full of both seasoned European regulars
and promising talents alike. Possessing a rigid defensive line, and a
well-drilled midfield, the Moroccans are both suited to playing defensively and
counter attacking, as well as maintaining possession and working the ball into
the box from defence. This adaptability will surely serve them well in the
Group Stages.
Strengths:
Defensive
Ability - the Atlas Lions did not concede a goal throughout qualification
Weaknesses:
There are quality attackers in this side, but a lack of true goal scorer is an issue.
Predicted line up:
Jerseys:
Verdict:
An
exciting prospect. Could cause a shock by sneaking out of the group.
GROUP A - http://worldwidefantasyclub.blogspot.com/2018/05/road-to-russia-world-cup-team-by-team.html
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