Spain v Germany – Tactical Analysis: FIFA WC 2022

It was a classic European heavyweight clash with Spain going face to face with Germany and it wasn’t just another all top team affair. It was a match up between two footballing philosophies; two of the more successful schools of thought going against each other. The possession & position oriented Spanish style v/s the high pressing, heavy metal German approach.

As expected Spain lined up in their 4-3-3 system, with Germany too following in their 4-2-3-1 set up. Luis Enrique’s side commanded possession from the get-go and Germany were holding their well organised, narrow defence against the Spanish.

The clash of two philosophies was well evident in the midfield. Spain’s three-man midfield of Pedri, Gavi & Busquets had to play through a well-drilled, high intensity German press, which was aimed at stopping Spain’s build-up from the midfield.

Flick went man to man in midfield with Kimmich & Goretzka constantly on the tails of Gavi & Pedri respectively while Gundogan or Musiala kept a check on Busquets initially.

Both Spain’s ability to play through any press and Germany’s ability to press in the most effective way nullified each other in the midfield often. Spain were not able to progress out of the press with enough fluidity which meant that the German defence had time to adapt almost always.

Similarly on the other hand, whenever Spain managed to break, Germany seemed shaky and vulnerable as Spain settled into their controlling 2-3-5 shape.

It’s hard not to explain Spain’s build-ups without appreciating the trio of Busquets, Gavi & Pedri. All three are integral components of Enrique’s team and they never seem to disappoint. The Barcelona midfielders averaged 98% in line-breaking passes success rate among themselves.

Busquets’ calmness and extensive footballing IQ lets him be himself in the Spanish set-up which minimizes his flaws and maximizes his brilliance. Gavi had a pretty average game on the ball, but his off-the-ball efforts are as essential to the Spanish system.

Gavi had the most direct pressures applied (9) the highest for Spain in the game. Pedri too was as immense as ever, conducting play and providing the key to Spain’s progression often.

One of the more obvious ways Spain found to break the press was by finding the isolated winger on the other flank often by switching the play. Germany’s defence was very narrow and hence Spain’s wide wingers always had space out wide, opposite to the side they were building up from.

Having Rodri & Laporte at the heart of the backline enabled Spain to play over the press often, but such breakaways didn’t bear any fruit.

On the other end of the spectrum, Spain’s aggressive high press was often highly effective. Enrique went man for man across the pitch. This approach worked, till Musiala showed up. The youngster’s ability to drop off, receive and turn broke the Spanish press on the right often.

Carvajal pushing upto Raum, left Musiala with space down Spain’s right as Rodri could not push up owing to his CB responsibilities. Musiala with space is dangerous and Spain often found the 19-year-old too hot to handle. The German wunderkid recorded 9 dribbles completed, the most by anyone in the game.

Jamal Musiala attempted 13 dribbles and completed 9 vs. Spain today

Both are tournament-highs for a player in a single match so far#GER | #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/YQ9YPE0m9D

— StatsBomb (@StatsBomb) November 27, 2022

Barring Musiala’s brilliance, Germany seemed to lack an offensive outlet often. Even when in transition, Die Mannschaft could only find Muller or Gnabry alone up top. Flicks’ idea of playing narrow worked as ¾ of the players in midfield usually play centrally, but it also hurt them as they lacked an outlet up top to feed into often.

The chess game between the 2 coaches began in the second half. Spain began by changing to a double pivot in build-up by forming a Busquets x Pedri pivot.

Almost a 4-2-2-2 / 4-2-1-3, with Olmo dropping into the interior / attacking midfielder slot and Morata (who came on for Ferran) & Asensio forming the forward partnership. This allowed Spain to have a bit more sustained pressure as they broke away because it often gave them a numerical advantage out wide whenever Alba/ Carvajal overlapped.

Consequentially, Spain took the lead through Morata, off a Jordi Alba low cross from the left. The game sprung into action after the goal. Everything felt faster & more vigorous.

Since the goal, both teams made a series of changes. Spain took off Asensio & Gavi for Nico Williams & Koke respectively;  adding a bit more mettle to the midfield and pace on the wings, expecting the onslaught from the German attack and the consequential space in behind.

Meanwhile, Germany took off Gundogan, Muller & Kehrer for Sane, Fullkrug & Klosterman. The inclusion of Klosterman (plays CB/RB) let Germany shift to a 3-2-3-2 (shown above) system (with both fullbacks pushing high and Gnabry, Musiala, Sane & Fullkrug granted freedom to attack.

Germany won this round though, striking back through Fullkrug to make it 1-1. Spain probably should have and must’ve done better in defence as Germany’s goal was perhaps due to a lack of diligence from Rodri, almost letting Musiala run into the box without any hiccups at all.

Germany shifted back to their normal 4-2-3-1 soon after and from then on the game went to full-time without much delay. The scoreboard read 1-1 after the end of a mammoth & exciting clash, with the Germans probably the happier of the two; keeping their qualification hopes alive with a point against La Furia Roja.

Spain would not be content with their result I imagine, as now they will have to get a favorable result in the final game, after failing to win the tightly contested game against Germany and sealing qualification.

Also read: Argentina And Germany Live To Fight Another Day: FIFA WC 2022