‘Horrible, horrible Spain’ slammed by ex-Real Madrid star

Robin Bairner

Updated: 21 Jun 2021 23:01 BST
3 min read

© ProShots - Spain’s Euro 2020 squad shows how far Real Madrid have fallen

Spain have been branded boring and one-dimensional by former Real Madrid midfielder Rafael van der Vaart, who says he hopes the Netherlands face them at Euro 2020.

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Luis Enrique’s side have received a great deal of criticism for their performances in the tournament to date. After a scoreless draw against Sweden to begin with, they were held 1-1 by Sweden as Gerard Moreno saw a penalty hit the post and Alvaro Morata fire wide on the follow up.

Meanwhile, the Netherlands have progressed with a perfect record, sealed thanks to a 3-0 win over North Macedonia on Monday.

For that reason, Van der Vaart, who also turned out with Tottenham, Hamburg and Real Betis among others, would be delighted to see Frank de Boer’s side square up against them.

This team has nothing. The only thing they do is go from side to side

- Rafael van der Vaart

“Spain are horrible, horrible,” he told NOS. “I hope that the Netherlands will play against them.

“This team has nothing. The only thing they do is go from side to side. They don’t even have a player who knows how to give an assist.”

Spain controversy

Spain are known as a fading force in the international game having been the dominant side around a decade ago, when they won the 2010 World Cup as well as the European Championship in 2008 and 2012.

As a result, it was a surprise when head coach Luis Enrique named a 26-man squad that did not involve Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos, a veteran of 180 caps, a stalwart of the national squad for 15 years and an experienced champion.

Nevertheless, losing a centre-back does not account for the struggles that Spain have had putting the ball in the net.

Morata, in particular, has come under fire for his wasteful performances, and the pressure will be on the striker on loan at Juventus from Atletico Madrid, to find the target when Spain play a must-win encounter against Slovakia on Wednesday.