Spain’s hopes of winning a second World Cup trophy in Qatar lie in the hands — and feet — of goalkeeper Unai Simon.
Spain’s expedients of winning a alternate World Cup jewel in Qatar lie in the hands– and bases– of goalkeeper Unai Simon. Luis Enrique’s possession- grounded system demands a goalkeeper stalwart enough to distribute to near platoon- mates, indeed when under immense pressure from opposition forwards. occasionally it goes sorrowfully wrong, but the trainer has kept his faith in Simon, no matter the review entered after crimes. Simon survived scares against Germany in the 1- 1 group stage draw, while he was at fault for Japan’s first thing in their shock 2- 1 palm over Spain on Thursday.
With Spain losing, for a many twinkles La Roja were due to be excluded.
They dodged that pellet when Germany triumphed, progressing in alternate place from Group E to set up Tuesday’s last 16 clash with Morocco.
Japan laid the design for the North African nation to follow, with Spain conking fully when the Samurai Blue overfilled their system.
” They scored two against us, and if they had demanded two further, also they would have scored them too, I am sure,” said trainer Luis Enrique after the game.
With Spain 1- 0 over and cruising against Japan at the launch of the alternate half, Simon played the ball out to Alejandro Balde, who was incontinently pressed and lost possession.
Ritsu Doan drove the loose ball past Simon at his near post from the edge of the box.
Simon got a hand on it and might have kept it out, with some claiming Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea would have saved the shot.
ITV pundit Gary Neville claimed Simon sounded” a real weak point” for La Roja, latterly championing for De Gea.
However he was noway likely to be named, with Luis Enrique bringing David Raya from Brentford and Robert Sanchez of Brighton as Simon’s back- ups, two goalkeepers more comfortable with the ball at their bases– and who produce smaller captions.
They will have low prospects of featuring, with Luis Enrique making it clear that the 25- time-old is his No 1.
Still, he could not be the goalkeeper of the public platoon,” said Luis Enrique after Spain’s draw with Germany,” If Unai did not play well with his bases.
” Unai Simon has everything Spain’s goalkeeper needs.”
Luis Enrique says when Simon errs it doesn’t worry him, as long as he’s carrying out the plan set for him.
The trainer’s explanations won over the Athletic Bilbao breach, who surfaced after Kepa Arrizabalaga left for Chelsea for a world record£ 71 million pound( 87 million euro) figure for a goalkeeper.
He established himself in 2019 with Athletic, making his Spain debut a time latterly and being named at Euro 2020.
Against Croatia, Simon let Pedri’s back- pass slip past his bottom for a spectacular own thing, but redeemed himself with penalty saves against Switzerland in the quarter- tests.
Unfortunately for Spain he couldn’t repeat the trick against Italy in the semis and the Azzurri progressed.
Keeping hold of the No 1 jersey through that event assured Simon bought further into Luis Enrique’s way of playing.
” For me, it’s not a threat,” said Simon ahead of the Japan clash.
” This public platoon has known how to break these situations multiple times, and that is how it’ll be.
” That is the idea that the trainer wants, and he is induced me of it, and I’m comfortable with it.”
Luis Enrique suggested his platoon might work on being a little more realistic with longer passes, accepting the Japan loss as a warning.
Still, Morocco will risk it all at full pelt again,” said the trainer,” If against Morocco we’ve the fortune to go in front.
” This has to serve as a warning that this is going to be.”
Also again, given the trainer’s belief in his system, he may indeed ask Simon to double down on the being strategy.
” It could induce a tense situation, and the pressure will keep adding in the knock- eschewal games,” added Simon.
” This is how the public platoon plays. I have got used to playing like this, I am confident in playing like this, and all the platoon is confident in me.” Read More FIFA News…
