Home - News - article
Puyol & Villa sidelined, Pique & Cesc below their best: Spain can't rely on Barcelona this time around
Posted Saturday, June 09, 2012 by Goal.com

Puyol & Villa sidelined, Pique & Cesc below their best: Spain can't rely on Barcelona this time around

It is often remembered that Barcelona are 'more than a club'. The famous motto rings true for a side that is the symbol of Catalunya and, in recent times, the best team around. And in 2010, the Barca backbone saw Spain seal World Cup success in South Africa. With seven of Pep Guardiola's players starting the final and scoring all eight of the team's goals en route to the trophy, it was a triumph very much made in Barcelona.

Two years on, however, it is unclear whether Barca can again provide the inspiration for Spain.

While Andres Iniesta looks to be in fantastic form going into Euro 2012, following his wonderful cameo in the 1-0 win over China on Sunday, there are doubts about the rest.

Two of the heroes from 2008 and 2010, Carles Puyol and David Villa, are sidelined this time around and are likely to be sorely missed. Seven Barca players travel to Poland and Ukraine in their absence, but there are question marks over all of them bar Iniesta.

Goalkeeper Victor Valdes is unlikely to get a game at the continental competition in any case, but the Barca No. 1 was somewhat slow to react to danger in key games against Real Madrid and Chelsea, which ended in defeat for the Catalans towards the end of the campaign.

In defence, meanwhile, there will be concerns over the fitness and form of Gerard Pique, who has struggled with injuries in the last 12 months, and found himself repeatedly benched by Guardiola amid rumours of excesses off the pitch and a loss of focus.

Pique made mistakes and appeared to lack concentration for Barca in 2011-12, as Guardiola often preferred to deploy midfielder Javier Mascherano in his back four. Pique also looks below his best when Puyol is missing, with his Catalan team-mate and friend constantly ensuring he is properly positioned and fully focused. On top of that, coach Vicente del Bosque has admitted the defender's relationship with prospective centre-back partner Sergio Ramos is far from perfect. The two were not on the pitch at the same time versus China - it remains to be seen whether they will be against Italy on Sunday.

One man Spain can always rely on is Xavi. The midfielder, however, is now 32 and showing small signs of slowing down following a wonderful career. The 2011-12 season saw him hit a career-high 14 goals in all competitions, with an impressive 14 assists to boot, but tiredness crept in towards the end of the campaign and fatigue at this time of year is hardly helpful to Spain.

Another midfielder who may struggle in Poland and Ukraine is Cesc Fabregas. The former Arsenal captain has just shaken off a hamstring problem and will be keen to regain the form which saw him shine earlier on in the season for Barca. The graduate from La Masia adapted to his new surroundings as if he had never left the club at all, but struggled in the second half of the term as his goals dried up and he was used in a number of different positions under Guardiola. And he is likely to be utilised similarly for Spain this summer.

Iniesta, as mentioned, looks at his peak and could play a pivotal part for La Roja once again, while another Barca midfielder Sergio Busquets is set to start for Del Bosque's side, despite doubts over his compatibility with Xabi Alonso and the need for two deep-lying midfielders in a team that will dominate possession virtually throughout.

Standings
    Rank Team W/D/L Pts

    Cities & Stadiums

    The Top 3 Teams of Previous Tournaments

    Year Winners Runner-up Third place
    2008SpainGermanyRussia / Turkey
    2004GreecePortugalNetherlands / Czech Republic
    2000FranceItalyNetherlands / Portugal
    1996GermanyCzech RepublicFrance / England
    1992DenmarkGermanyNetherlands / Sweden
    1988NetherlandsSoviet UnionItaly / West Germany
    1984FranceSpainDenmark / Portugal
    1980West GermanyBelgiumCzechoslovakia
    1976CzechoslovakiaWest GermanyNetherlands
    1972West GermanySoviet UnionBelgium
    1968ItalyYugoslaviaEngland
    1964SpainSoviet UnionHungary
    1960Soviet UnionYugoslaviaCzechoslovakia