[Europe Group 6]
10 Matches 8 Wins 2 Ties 0 Loss (26 Points)
| 9/4/96 | Vs. Faroe Islands | Win | 2-6 |
| 10/9/96 | Vs Czech Republic | Draw | 0-0 |
| 11/13/96 | Vs. Slovakia | Win | 4-1 |
| 12/14/96 | Vs. Yugoslavia | Win | 2-0 |
| 12/18/96 | Vs. Malta | Win | 0-3 |
| 2/12/97 | Vs. Malta | Win | 4-0 |
| 4/30/97 | Vs. Yugoslavia | Draw | 1-1 |
| 8/8/97 | Vs. Czech Republic | Win | 1-0 |
| 9/24/97 | Vs. Slovakia | Win | 1-2 |
| 10/11/97 | Vs. Faroe Islands | Win | 3-1 |
| Offense |
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Defense |
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| Organization |
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Experience |
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| Talent |
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Capacity to surprise |
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The style of using a stiff defense to take advantage of even a few chances has not changed and the "just don't lose" style of soccer has been inherited down to the present. The system is basically a 4-4-1-1, but under some conditions, the Spaniards use three backs with a libero to further strengthen the defense.
Of the basic members, the goalkeeper Zubizarreta and on defense Aguilera on the right and Sergi on the left are certain, but Nadal, Abelardo, and Alkorta rotate at the center back. When three backs are used, they are the lineup. The volantes are Hierro and Amor. Normally, for switching from the defense to the offense, the natural genius Guardeola would be used, but it is not certain whether or not he will recover in time from his injury. In midfield, Luis Enrique is on the right and Raul on the left. On the front line, Kiko is slightly back and Alfonso is on the top. Also, the new weapons Morientes, Etxeberria, and Lardin all have extraordinary goal-getting sense in front of the goal and much is expected of them as the trump cards for solving the problem of insufficient firepower. However, Coach Clemente's greatest misgivings are injuries to key players and the hard schedule of the Spanish league, which is a major roadblock for the national team. He is forced to put together the team and get his players in shape in a short period before the tournament. Everything will be riding on Coach Clemente's skill at doing this.
*REAL FEDERACION
ESPANOLA DE FUTBOL
[Address]
- Calle Alberto Bosch13
- Apaetado postal 347
- E-28014 Madrid
- Rio de Janeiro
[Established] 1913
*10th World Cup
(1934, 1950, 1962, 1966,
1978, 1982, 1986, 1990,
1994, 1998)
No championships |
RAUL Gonzarez
* Midfielder
With his excellent balance of offense and defense, Raul is the answer to Coach Clemente's prayers.
When he made his sensational debut with Spain's famed Real Madrid, Raul was still only 17. However, it did not take any time for his special talents to lift him up to the status of special child of Spanish soccer. He quickly took a leadership role on the Spanish national team as well and at the tender age of 20 he is a central presence on the team. His superior offensive sense, which combine high-level technique, superior tactical vision, and sharp goal-scoring sense is particularly well expressed as the left side midfielder. His unparalleled skills for the offense make him a wishing star for Spain.
Javier CLEMENTE
Coach Clemente was born on March 12, 1950. His career as a player was shortened by injury, but as the coach of Atletico Bilbao, he posted a spectacular record, winning the league championship twice, the King's Cup Championship once, and the Super Cup Championship once and entered the ranks of top coaches. In 1988, he led Espanol to the finals of the UEFA Cup. After that, he was the coach for Atletico Madrid and in September 1992 he became the coach of the Spanish national team, the position he still holds. Overthrowing what had been common sense in Spanish soccer up till now, he brought careful, organized tactics to the team.
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