Euro 2012: Andres Iniesta rejects boring Spain tag
Last updated on .From the section Euro 2012
Spain midfielder Andres Iniesta has rejected claims his team's playing style is boring ahead of their Euro 2012 semi-final against Portugal.
Iniesta insists Spain's defensive-minded opponents are to blame for games that have been low on goalmouth drama.
"When a team always wants to attack against an opponent who shuts up shop, football is not as attractive as when the game is open," he said.
"Our style of play has led us to success, to winning titles."
Spain's possession-based style, known as "tiki-taka", has helped them win the 2008 European Championship and 2010 World Cup.
But at Euro 2012, they have come in for criticism for lacking attacking intent and strangling the life out of games.
Coach Vicente Del Bosque has opted not to field a centre-forward in two of their four games, while their 2-0 quarter-final victory over France was more routine than ravishing.
Iniesta, whose extra-time goal sealed a 1-0 victory over the Netherlands in the 2010 World Cup final, said Spain would not be changing their winning formula.
"Football's so great because not everyone likes the same thing, we don't have to all agree on everything," he said.
"For us, the play that we have, the way we have of doing things, is what has led us to our success, to winning titles.
"We feel identified with our style of play, and a few years ago this style changed the history of Spain for good."
Del Bosque backed up his players' stance, dismissing the idea that Spain have taken a step back since 2010.
"Of course we don't want to stagnate," he said. "We want to go forward, and winning two trophies is proof of our qualities.
"We've got our own style. People might not like it, but it's a style that brought us success. And people are always looking for things to complain about."
Iniesta also played down concerns over the fact Portugal have had an extra two days of rest before the semi-final at the Donbass Arena in Donetsk.
"At this stage what we want to do is play, not think about those two days," he said.
"The competition is set up like that, at other times we will have more of a break than another team. Right now we shouldn't be thinking about tiredness, but of playing well, of being precise, efficient and we can think about tiredness when the competition is over."
Spain beat Portugal 1-0 in the last 16 of the 2010 World Cup, but lost 4-0 to their Iberian neighbours in a Lisbon friendly in November of the same year.
Del Bosque knows what to expect from opponents who have progressed to the last four through a fast, counter-attacking game, with wingers Cristiano Ronaldo and Nani to the fore.
"They are very stable, they have stuck with the same starting line-up and don't except any change except for (the injured striker Helder) Postiga," he said.
"They are stable and their coach (Paulo Bento) really knows what he is doing. We will see if they do something new but I'm expecting the same Portugal we saw in the other four games."
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I love watching Spain knock the ball around. Their movement, close control and confidence is a joy to watch in my opinion.
I'm sure there are people that watch it though and just think 'this is boring - when are they going to shoot?'.
Each to their own.
Can't you just accept that some people like different things to yourself?
I enjoy watching Spain play and i also enjoy watching Barcelona play - at least i thought i did. If i'm lying to myself about both of these then what else am i lying to myself about?
Can you provide a comprehensive list of things that i should and shouldn't be liking please. Thanks.
There are no points for artistic impression
By getting them to chase you like headless chickens and when they have no energy left, then you attack.
Do you think Germany are going to play free flowing open football if they meet in the final???
I don't thinl so.
"Yep Messi picks it up inside his own half beats midfield defenders and scores nothing to do with Iniesta Villa and Xavi, only trouble with this theory is he hasn't done it so far Argentina has he."
He certainly did against Brazil recently!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ww7TENIsWE0
When I watch Spain play football I'm in awe, their through balls and sense of teamwork is incredible.
Maybe for those who want instant gratification, American football might be a better solution?
And a whopping 118 goals all season goal difference of plus 85, yeah it's boring this tika taka football eh.