Coach Aragones and Psychology
I don't know much about Luis Aragones, but I have to say that he must have a degree in psychology after reading this article about his thoughts on the upcoming game against France.
I think if I were a coach, I'd say the same thing. Somehow he has managed to say the truth about the French squad (they're not as good as everyone thinks), enthuse the Spaniards with the very real likelihood of their win, and then sagely sober everyone about France's potential to display champion metal and prove to be an formidable foe. Somehow, he managed to mix tough, pep-rally rah-rah with sobering guardedness and maintain amazing accuracy! Brilliant.
I'm impressed. I wonder if that is why he is 25-0 as Spain's coach?
posted by Bob Bixby at 5:13 PM
6 Comments:
That's why he's "el sabio (the wise one) de Hortaleza." I'm looking forward to the game, but with some trepidation. France has an extremely tough and disciplined defense. Spain sometimes gets lulled to sleep while controlling the game and doesn't have the killer instinct to score. It could be a very long, frustrating game.
I hope so.
I think that if Spain scores early they win for sure. France just doesn't have the firepower to come from behind.
However, my gut tells me that the longer the game goes without a score, France has a chance.
..."long, frustrating game." Sounds familiar somehow...
Aragonés isn't 25-0. He's 16-0-9. He has proven to be quite the "sage one." I didn't like what he did in qualifying where he played men out of their natural position (and Spain had to go to a play-off to make it into the World Cup). Now I realize that he was experimenting, since Spain clearly needed an overhaul. Finally he realized that he just needed to get new, young players. He did keep a core group of older, more experience players.
This spanish side does seem to have that extra bit of toughness and aplomb that could make the difference in the end. With players from Liverpool (which came back from 3-0 to win the Champions League last year) and players from Barcelona (which scored 2 goals in five minutes for a come-from-behind win in this year's Champion's League final), there are plenty of players who know what it is to come back when all the marbles are on the line.
Should be fun!
Check out my predictions on spoudason.blogspot.com
This Netherlands game is atrocious!!! It looks like two high-school cross-city rivals instead of professional players. Both teams should just be thrown out of the competition. The ref has been horrible as well.
Post a Comment
<< Home