adminDOHA. – Luis Enrique wanted to give Spain’s supporters a ‘‘show’’ at Qatar 2022 – but in the end his side were sent home with accusations of being ‘boring’ ringing in their ears.
Despite dominating possession in their second-round match against Morocco on Tuesday, Spain were knocked out of the World Cup on penalties as the African side booked a historic quarter-final against Portugal.
Spanish football expert Guillem Balague said Spain were “miles away” from competing with the top nations, but is it the end for manager Luis Enrique and his ‘‘passing experiment’’?
The stats are remarkable.
Spain had 77 percent of possession and made 1 019 passes – 926 were accurate – compared to Morocco’s 304.
They ended the match, though, with just six shots and one shot on target as, time and time again, their patient passing approach was brilliantly rebuffed by a well-organised Morocco.
The pattern of the game was almost inevitable for a Spain side who rarely play a central striker – only bringing on Alvaro Morata as a focal point – and who had made 1 058 passes in their defeat by Japan in the group stage.
Their one shot on target is the lowest they have managed in a World Cup since this data was available (1966), while they become the first nation to lose four World Cup penalty shootouts and just the second side to not score in one.
Those penalty woes are even more miserable when you consider Luis Enrique stated his side had practised 1 000 penalties in training.
“I chose the takers, I thought they were the best on the pitch,” Luis Enrique said.
“(If I could change something) I would take (Morocco keeper Yassine) Bounou away and put another goalkeeper there. (Penalties) are not a lottery for me. You have to control yourself.
“What we did was dominate the game but we lacked the goal, that is the reality, that is the truth.”
Enrique, 52, is out of contract this summer after being appointed boss in 2018.
“Next week we will speak and discuss about my future, now it’s not the right moment – I’m the one responsible.
“If it was up to me, I would stay all my life, but that is not the case. I have to think calmly what is the best for me and for the national team. All situations will have an influence.” – BBC Sport.
Online Reporter