17 June,2010 08:31 AM IST | | Agencies
Spain's record of 33 victories in their last 34 competitive matches is often used as evidence of their quality. But the one defeat ufffd a 2-0 reverse against USA in last summer's Confederations Cup semi-final ufffd has uncanny similarities to yesterday's defeat leading to a theory that a well-regimented system with a climate that is congruent to a long and demanding defensive shift will trouble Spain. Read on...
' Like US, the Swiss were ferociously competitive covering large swaths of ground.
' The match against US was also played in similar cold circumstances where fatigue did not tire the players.
' Their shape was disciplined and compact, with every player in the side having been charged with specific defensive responsibilities.
' Like both the goals against US, the Swiss also scored their goal because of a defensive lapse.u00a0u00a0
' Both US and Swiss frustrated the Spanish midfield by defending from the middle as Spain is known to attack more from the centre.
