Jorge Vilda was asked about the physical condition of Alexia Putellas –she was not a starter in her debut– and about the great level that Aitana Bonmatí exhibited in the victory against Costa Rica (3-0) in the World Cup debut. But the coach’s secret weapon is the defensive wall that he has erected. The coach wants to keep the lock on the team at all costs. That may be the key to playing a great role in the World Cup.
Spain has become an oasis after the revolt in the months leading up to the World Cup. And in part, the good moment that the team is experiencing is based on that stability. There are seven victories in a row – since February 22 he has won everything – and in the last five he has finished with a clean sheet.
Spain has not conceded a goal since April 6 against Norway. Later, neither China (3-0), nor Panama (7-0), nor Denmark (2-0) nor Costa Rica have been able to beat Misa Rodríguez. Against Vietnam (9-0) Cata Coll performed under the sticks.
It helps that the central pair is made up of two of the three most veteran soccer players in the group, along with Hermoso. It is difficult for Irene Paredes, 32, and Ivana Andrés, 29, to get nervous with their baggage. They are two proven footballers, who make themselves heard outside and who rule the field. For both defenses this is their third World Cup. The Gipuzkoan from Barça and the Valencian from Madrid formed a pair against China and Costa Rica.
Goalkeeper Misa Rodríguez turned 24 on Saturday, one day after her World Cup debut. The responsibility is not weighing on the Canary Islands and in 12 of her 15 international matches – it premiered in February 2021 – she has not had to pick up the ball from inside her goal.
On the wings, both Ona Batlle on the right and Olga Carmona on the left combine seriousness with speed to go up the lane. It so happens that the five defenses of Vilda were born between June and July, hot months. On his day, Raymond Doménech confessed to looking at the footballers’ horoscopes to make the lists for France.
The coach does not trust the defeat that Zambia received at the hands of Japan. He does not forget that, just before the World Cup, the Africans defeated Germany. Spain knows its two fast forwards well, as Barbra Banda played for Logroño and this season Kundananji has scored 27 goals for Madrid CFF. The slogans are that the whole team must be active to “cut these starts of the game that are really fast” from Zambia and that “all the plays are finished, because we know that if not, they can cross a transition very quickly”, warns Vilda. If Japan defeats Costa Rica, Spain winning this Wednesday would already be classified for the round of 16.
The picture is totally different in Norway, which is a volcano and on the brink of elimination after yesterday’s 0-0 draw against Switzerland. The Nordics are yet to win or score in their two matches. The weather is very rare in the Norwegian team, to the point that Ada Hegerberg fell out of the eleven after hearing the anthem. The official version is that she noticed a puncture in the last sprint. But it seems that coach Hege Riise is at odds with the stars. Blaugrana Graham Hansen and Engen were substitutes after criticizing their approaches, in which Chelsea winger Guro Reiten is playing almost as a midfielder. What a mess.
