Hmm I'm getting more of a park the bus feel with this French lineup, two right-backs and all. I will also always hate Malouda starting but Diarra did look too much of a liability with the ball.

The two fullbacks is of course also one way Valencia hurt Barca at times in their defensive strategy which is in line with the increasingly popular method by the good teams in La Liga of not playing overly defensive, and again, against that Spain lineup, with so little pace over many meters, they just have to push up whenever possible. Of course they'll be played/passed/ pressed back often enough, all the way to Fabregas and Silva rotating the false-nine role making great runs in small spaces, but the best way contain that is definitely pushing up, packing/pressing the middle as high as possible when possible. They actually have the players to do it (in theory) and they won't create anything themselves either if they don't.

Torres dropped for Fabregas

Spain will score in the 79th minute and win 1-0. It will be the most boring game in the history of football despite the immense quality on the field.

False nine without a lot of penetration from midfield vs. parking the bus, game shaping up to be the expected non-spectacle.

i lold

Del Bosque must really hate Llorente and Negredo.

Pepe Reina; Raul Albiol, Javi Martinez, Juanfran; Jesus Navas, Santi Cazorla, Juan Mata, Pedro; Fernando Torres, Alvaro Negredo, Fernando Llorente.

lolrejects

I really don't understand why.

Give the guy(s) a shot ffs

Yet another top talent squad who normally tries taking the game to the opponent will come into this game set up in what appears to be very reactive/defensive tactics and looking to just "hang on."

Spain-style critics take note of France's lineup/presumed tactics first.

Yeah, this is what I am afraid of too. Hopefully Spain score early so France has to open up a bit. Otherwise I can see it becoming a huge snoozefest.

Probably still > 50% of the teams in the tournament

Llorente is more of a risk than Negredo considering his form for Spain. I'd still rather see Navas / Pedro (despite poor seasons) than Llorente / Negredo / Torres because of their ability in one on one situations. As it stands I still think the current three are fine.

Edit: I feel really bad for Juan Mata and would love him to get some minutes but I can't see where he fits in if Del Bosque wants to change it during the match.

You can back spain for 1.96 on betfair. wtf. seems like printing money to me. Did i miss something, are any important players injured?

Pretty much this...a french miscue at the back or a french smash and grab on the counter for the win, with Spain dominating possession but getting little penetration. I hope I am wrong though...

Allez Les Bleus, one time

Spain's B team vs Germany's B team: Who wins?

Allez les bleus