Germany was a rival to Spains dominant era, but they always lost. Germanys high press style didnt really come about until about 2013. I think 2014 Germany was much different than 2010 in terms of style. I feel like theyd give trouble to spain, and their counters would be a handful .
Italy got a 1-1 in fhe group stage and then got smashed 4-0 in the game that mattered most. Netherlands beat them when they were already past their golden age.
italy played a 352 in the group and should’ve won
when we got smashed 4-0 we for some reason played a 4312 (and had an early red)
Italy had no red card in 2012, they played in 10 because Motta got injured with no subs left and Spain was leading 2-0 and being the better team anyway.
That starting line up they had in 2014 was very good. I don’t think there’s much excuses. Lvg really cluttered the center with pressure it was amazing tactics. Spain just couldn’t be comfortable on the ball with all those guys running around.
This is not an excuse, it’s natural that teams cannot dominate for a long time even if the players are the same, because the game evolves. Almost the same Germany that dominated in 2014 was dead last in the group stage at the next world cup.
Tbf the whole core of the team of 2014 was gone by 2018.