Former Belgian goalkeeper Michel Preud'homme warns that Spain can be both frustrating and brilliant, and that his team will have to chase the ball in the World Cup quarter-finals.
Michel Preud'homme, former goalkeeper and now analyst for the Belgian newspaper Le Soir, has dedicated his latest analysis ahead of the Spain-Belgium quarter-final to dissecting the style of the Spanish national team. The former goalkeeper, who watched the 1986 match from the stands, describes Spain as a team of contrasts: capable of being "frustrating and brilliant" at the same time.
A style that lulls and then stings
According to Preud'homme, when Spain limits itself to monopolising possession without looking for spaces behind the defence, their football can become soporific. But when they decide to step forward, they offer a spectacle that hurts the opponent, thanks to the technical quality of their players to resolve situations with the precise pass at the right moment.
They can be both frustrating and brilliant
The Belgian analyst warns of the risk of relaxing against Spain: he compares them to a team that first lulls their opponent and then "stings them", although he also admits that when they take too long to decide to attack, the match can become tedious for the spectator. In this context, he particularly highlights the figure of Mikel Merino, whom he values for bringing the depth that is sometimes lacking in Spanish play, in contrast to profiles like Rodri, Pedri, Dani Olmo, or Fabián Ruiz, players who prioritise maintaining possession in tight spaces over breaking lines.
Defensive solidity: zero goals conceded
Preud'homme also emphasises the defensive statistic that most supports Spain's title candidacy: Luis de la Fuente's team has not conceded a single goal so far in the tournament, something he attributes to outstanding defensive organisation at the moment of losing the ball. For him, this unyielding solidity is as crucial as the offensive talent of their players, and he explains why regaining possession against Spain will not be an easy task for the Belgians, no matter how much Belgium seeks to exploit quick transitions from their own half.
The former goalkeeper also reflects on the specific weight of Lamine Yamal within the Spanish squad, pointing out that rivals have already begun to adapt their tactical approaches to neutralise him, just as happened with Jeremy Doku in Belgium. He highlights the enormous media pressure on the young Barcelona winger, who is about to turn 19, and warns that despite any defensive adjustments that may be applied against him, a player of his calibre only needs one moment to turn a match, something the Belgian coach hopes does not happen this Friday against the Red Devils.
Have we found the solution against him? Perhaps. But with a talent of this calibre, one single action is enough to change the course of a match
For Madrid fans following the match, the game will take place this Friday at 21:00 hours at the Lusail Stadium in Doha. The Spanish national team, with several players from Real Madrid and Atlético de Madrid in their ranks, will seek a place in the semi-finals against a Belgium that will try to break La Roja's defensive invincibility.
